Buhari pledges more allocation to education
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday assured Nigerians that allocations to the educational sector will be improved as revenue increases, describing the sector as a major engine for the development of any country.
The president, during an interactive session with the Nigerian community in Paris, France, said the about 5 per cent allocation to the sector was inadequate to propel the desired growth for the economy, pointing that United Nations target of 26 per cent remains ideal.
“We are currently reviewing investments in the entire infrastructure of the country like road, rail and power, including investing more in education. We will certainly need to do more in education,” he said.
A statement by the president’s media aide, Femi Adesina, said Buhari enjoined Nigerian elites, both at home and diaspora, to do more in contributing to the educational sector of the country, expressing surprise that the elites tolerated the fall in standards and structures of educational institutions despite oil windfalls in the past that would have made all the difference.
“I am doing my best now to utilize our resources to develop the country. We are already getting results on road, rail and power. My frustration is that some people still have plenty stolen money stashed in Europe, U S and other countries,” he said.
On Nigerians in diaspora participating in elections, the president said it might not happen in the 2019 elections as INEC had been more focused on strengthening and consolidating on its achievements of conducting credible elections within the country.
The President said happen in future.
In her remarks, Nigerian Ambassador to France, Dr. Modupe Enitan Irele, said the Nigerian community in France had demonstrated high sense of responsibility, dedication and morality, adding that the large number of professionals had been encouraged to also contribute to the country’s development.
Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, a Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Affairs, facilitated the meeting that was attended by Governors Willie Obiano (Anambra), Aminu Masari (Katsina) and John Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), and top government functionaries. it could