Days Of Oil Are Numbered If Not Over — EKWEREMADU
Oghare Abigail Eloho
The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, has advised
Nigerians to look beyond oil to secure economic prosperity for the
country.
Mr. Ekweremadu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media,
Uche Anichukwu, said the days of oil as super foreign exchange earner
for the nation were numbered or probably over.
Mr. Ekweremadu gave the advice at the one-year anniversary celebration
of the Brickhall School, Abuja, founded by former Chairman, Senate
Committee on Education, Joy Emodi.
The deputy senate president expressed concern that not so much attention
was given to education as much as oil, which would soon become
valueless.
He said the way to go for sustainable growth of the country was education for both the young and old.
“Our economy is in the throes of pain today because we thought the oil windfall would last forever,” he said.
“Even, while it lasted, we dismantled all the necessary structures, such
as fiscal federalism, that would have encouraged competitive
development and massive investment in human capital.
“Without prejudice to the place of petroleum resources in our national
life, we must face the reality that the days of oil as super earner of
foreign exchange are numbered, if not over.
“Those who still look up to petroleum resources for the revival of
Nigeria’s weather-beaten economy live in the past and are only building
castles in the air.
“Prosperous global economies are knowledge-driven and the future only
belongs to those who equip their citizens with quality education right
from birth.
“This is a major reason most African nations, including Nigeria, are abjectly poor despite their rich oil and mineral resources.
“Meanwhile, many of their contemporaries, such as South Korea, with very
little or no mineral resources, are among the world’s leading
economies.
“We must look beyond oil; and we must necessarily invest in education if
we intend to make any headway. It is not a matter of choice, but
imperative.’’
The deputy president of the senate urged privately-owned educational
institutions to emulate the Brickhall School in providing high standard,
but “pocket-friendly’’ education.
He also urged government at all levels and public-spirited individuals
to prioritise support for educational institutions through provision of
adequate supervision, infrastructure, grants, donations, and tax
rebates.
“A situation where government is only interested in collecting
exorbitant taxes from privately-owned educational institutions, leaving
them to fend for themselves in terms of access roads, security, water,
power, and other social infrastructures is exploitative.
“The development is also unacceptable because it has virtually driven them beyond the reach of the poor.
“Governments should be able to provide subsidised lands and other
support in exchange of specific percentage discount for the poor to
access privately owned educational institutions,’’ he said.
He commended Mrs. Emodi for consistently exhibiting innate drive for
excellence and national development through the provision of quality
education.
According to him, Brickhall School has demonstrated that private-owned
educational facilities could provide high quality education at
affordable costs devoid of exploitation.
Monday, December 12, 2016
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