Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, has advocated the taking over of primary education from the Local Government Councils by the Federal Government in order to achieve maximum results while the private sector should actively be involved in the running of tertiary institutions for desired outcome.
Governor Ahmed made the suggestions in Abuja while participating in a discussion of Northern region at the 21st Nigerian Economic Summit organized by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and the National Planning Commission.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, Governor Ahmed explained that the foundational level of education should not be left in the hands of local government authorities, pointing out that the cost of running primary education is beyond the local government in view of inconsistence and dwindling allocations from the federation account.
The governor emphasised the need for the prioritisation of intermediate vocational studies to properly equip the youths to meet manpower requirements for industries.
Gov. Ahmed also called for a national emergency in the agriculture sector to save Nigeria from the increasing foreign exchange earnings. According to him, Nigeria does not need to import all sorts of agricultural produce like chicken, turkey and eggs in view of the available human and material resources endowed the country.
The Governor expressed concern over the non-availability of a soil laboratory in Nigeria and urged governors in the North Central region to exploit capacity to grow rice due to River Benue and River Niger and become a reference point in Nigeria.
He identified poor education, poverty, illiteracy and diseases as issues affecting the North Central zone stressed the need for sub-national peer review as mechanism to share ideas and addressing common challenges in the zones.
The Governor encouraged the private sector to invest more on agriculture on intervention basis, calling on government at all levels to provide conducive environment for private investment to thrive in agriculture.
He noted that the Agric Mall set up in the state allows all input providers to meet in one spot to On Small and Medium Enterprises, Governor Ahmed informed the gathering that over one billion naira had been committed to the MSMEs to encourage bankable businesses and provide financial freedom to the people.
The forum with the theme “Sub-National Competitiveness: A Conversation with State Governors” also has in attendance Governors of Kogi, Kaduna, Gombe, Bauch, Benue and Katsina States as well as the Head of Service of the federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi.
