News: PRESS STATEMENT ON FREE EDUCATION IN NIGERIA By Mohammed Fawehinmi

Vox Populi Vox Dei
Thursday, March 13, 2014

PRESS STATEMENT ON FREE EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

The recent slaughter of students in Universities and Secondary schools by the Boko Haram Sect is wicked, unconscionable and unforgivable.
We must note and never forget that this slaughter of 59 secondary school students in Yobe state happened during a People Democratic Party [PDP] led Federal Government in Nigeria.
For now there is no security for any Secondary school or Tertiary institution in Nigeria. There is no protection for the lives of Students either by the Federal Government or the State Government.
There is in fact no security for the country as a whole. Only one solution can be preferred in order to ensure that part of our problems in Nigeria is solved and that is to prioritize Education! This is guaranteed by Chapter IV particularly section 39[1] of the 1999 Constitution [as amended] which states and I quote:
‘39. (1) Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference....’

This is the section on fundamental rights which allows every Nigerian child or youth to be educated without interference of being killed or for lack of funds from the Federal or State governments. Teaching and lecturing are ways of holding opinions, receiving through research and passing on the knowledge through ideas and information imparted.
At this stage when Nigeria is 54 years old, every Nigerian person or student willing to learn and acquire knowledge or develop himself or herself educationally must be given the opportunity to do so free of charge, sponsored by the Federal and State governments.
We know for a fact that the budget of Nigeria is close to, if not more than N5trillion. All the Governors past and present, all the Presidents past and present, all the Head of States past and present, all the Senators past and present, all the Members of the National Assembly[House of Reps] past and present, Majority of the Commissioners past and present are all Billionaires.
This clearly shows the pattern of where the monies for development of the Nigerian children and youth, supposed to be in the treasury has gone to; [ That is being diverted into the pockets of a privileged few].
For this purpose I refer to section 18 of the 1999 Constitution[as amended] based on Educational objectives.

Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution [as amended] states and I quote:-
“18. (1) Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels.
(2) Government shall promote science and technology
(3) Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy; and to this end Government shall as and when practicable provide-
(a) Free, compulsory and universal primary education
(b) Free University education; and
(c) Free adult literacy programme.”
The use of the word “SHALL” means it is a duty that must be carried out.
At this stage of our polity, we must consider the amount of trillions of Naira paid to the cronies of the ruling political Peoples Democratic Party[PDP] supposedly as subsidy for the supply of imported fuel.
During the oversight functions carried out by the Hon. Lawan Farouk led Committee of the Federal House of Representatives, it was discovered that majority of the companies that received these funds did not supply a drop of petrol and up till now have not been prosecuted or convicted or the monies refunded.
Instead of the Nigerian Government wasting these monies, both the Federal and State governments must focus now on the provision of qualitative free education at all levels and security for the Nigerian Child and the Nigerian youth.

Our focus now must be to develop the wealth of the Nigerian intellectual capacity, so that we can proffer the proper solutions to our indigenous problems.
From this year 2014 before Children’s day [May 27, 2014]starting from the Senate, National Assembly to the State Assemblies; it must be passed into law that Education at all levels [from Primary schools to Tertiary Institutions] in Nigeria must be free .
The exorbitant price of education inflicted on the Nigerian children of the poor masses of our Country is discriminatory, unconstitutional and detrimental to the intellectual development of the poor Nigerian child.
The fees levied by the State run tertiary institutions, is too exorbitant and counterproductive because only very few can afford it.

The benefits of education abroad has resulted into the fabrication of mobile phones, computers, laptops, televisions of various dimensions for ease of communications; the manufacture of motorcycles, cars, trains, speed boats, ships, helicopters, hovercrafts, aeroplanes for ease of transportation; the best health system and innovative means of combating killer and terminal diseases; vast supply of food through highly technical agricultural practice. The list of the benefits of qualitative education is endless matched with the vast intellectual prowess of the average Nigerian, can turn Nigeria into a superpower.
Education particularly can help Nigeria get richer than now that it is being funded by oil.

Proper education can devise ingenious ways not only to generate income but to put a final solution to recurring problems.
I recall vividly from history as I was taught in school that Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, one of the founding fathers of the Nigeria Republic spent 55% of the budget on Education in the South-west.
Every Nigerian who studied in the South-west benefited and was the best for it.
We as Nigerians must develop ourselves, if our present elected officers and so-called political leaders fail and categorically refuse to do so.

NIGERIANS PLEASE I URGE YOU TO TELL OUR FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS TO PROVIDE FREE EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS FROM PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FOR OUR CHILDREN. IT IS THE ENTITLEMENT OF EVERY NIGERIAN CHILD. THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE IS AFFORDABLE. NIGERIA IS RICH.

Signed
MOHAMMED FAWEHINMI ESQ