The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi, has stated that “in the next 5-10 years, Nigeria has the potential to thrive as a developed nation.”
According to the former Anambra state governor, this could happen if Nigerians collectively address challenges of education of out of school children and dire need for water in rural communities by mobilising well-meaning Nigerians to invest in water provision and education.
He advocated an educational approach that would bring formal education directly on-site to out-of-school children across Nigeria, adding that the dire need for water in some communities could be addressed by approximately 200,000 individuals, who could volunteer to sponsor the drilling of one borehole per year in any suitable location of their choice.
Obi who spoke to journalists on Wednesday at a press conference in Abuja, said education of the out of school children in the country “involves providing qualified teachers in English language, mathematics, social studies, environmental sciences, and Quranic Arabic studies, among other essential subjects.”
The LP standard bearer in the 2023 elections stated that his visit to some areas in the country had reaffirmed his “belief in the untapped potential within young students, who are proficient in Arabic reading and writing.”
He said, “these students possess the capability to excel in various fields, from medicine and architecture to engineering, artificial intelligence, and beyond. I envisioned a future where they would become professors, doctors, lawyers, economists, captains of industries, and competent political leaders.
“It will cost about N10 million annually for each center for 50 people each”, adding that “by investing 10 million if you decide to do 100 of that scattered around the country, it will cost a trillion Naira which will be about 5 million each.”
He stated that with 200 thousand volunteers, the programme would be achievable.
Obi who said he supported the Quotanic students with N10 million towards their educational endeavors, noted that when millions of out-of-school children were drawn into the educational system, it would go a long way to develop or transform the society.
“I strongly advocate for an educational approach that brings formal schooling directly to them on-site. This involves providing qualified teachers in English language, mathematics, social studies, environmental sciences, and Quranic Arabic studies, among other essential subjects.
“In the next 5-10 years, Nigeria has the potential to thrive as a developed nation if we collectively address these challenges and change our mindset. By mobilising well-meaning Nigerians to invest in water provision and education, we can lay the foundation for a prosperous future for all.
“The indices are clear: with the support of 200,000 individuals, we can annually provide for the needs of 5,000,000 pupils, enabling access to education, clean water, and basic necessities.
“I urge all Nigerians to join hands in this endeavor. Together, let us work towards a Nigeria where every child has access to quality education, clean water, and a brighter future.”
