A former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has called on government at all levels to prioritize more investment in education and health to enhance the country’s developmental efforts.
Mimiko made the call on Friday while delivering the maiden convocation lecture of the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, Kogi State.
He explained that the three tiers of government are now in a better financial position to commit more resources to health and education, following subsidy removal and exchange rate unification which he said has led to increase in acruals from FAAC to them.
Mimiko who delivered the lecture titled “Ill-health and illiteracy , Siblings’ Alliance Against Development ” said health and education have been neglected for too long, saying that there is urgent need to reverse the trend.
Mimiko explained that nations that have developed in the recent past achieved the feat by placing premium on education in their development efforts.
“The investments in education and health helped drive economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve human development outcomes in these countries.
“In all cases , the data suggests that investing in education and health can have long – term benefits for economic development , poverty reduction, and human well-being,” he said.
Mimiko commended the Federal Government for introducing The Nigeria First Policy, saying that the policy holds the key for the country’s industrial development.
He, however, said for the policy to achieve its objectives, government must be willing to deploy the enabling policy tools of subsidy, tariffs, and financial targeting in a milieu of creative industrial policy.
“Mental and psychological reconstruction is also needed , expressing adherence to the idea of ” consuming what we produce and producing what we consume ” with clear leadership praxis from the political elite,” he explained.
The former governor submitted that childhood nutrition, which can straddle education , health and even agriculture must be given particular attention.
With the new tax laws coming into effect next year, Mimiko said it is expected that improved public resources will be committed to healthcare and education, ensuring equitable and universal access to to produce citizenry necessary to drive ongoing development and secure future improvement and sustenance.
“As it is expected from the Federal Government, so it is expected from the sub-nationals.
“The sibling alliance against development – illiteracy and ill-health – must be confronted and turned around in favour of our country’s development,” Mimiko concluded.
The Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Right Honorable Aliyu Umar Yusuf, who was the Chairman at the event congratulated CUSTECH on its maiden convocation ceremony.
The Speaker also congratulated parents and students on the their successful completion of their studies at the university.
He charged the graduands to be good ambassadors of the institution.
“End has Justified the Means.Congratulations” he said.
Yusuf also commended
the Vice Chancellor and all the Academic and Non Academic staff of the university for their respective roles that has culminated into the Convocation of First set of students of the University.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of CUSTECH, Professor Abdulrahman Asipita Salawu, said the theme of the lecture ” ill-health and illiteracy, siblings Alliance Against Development” was deliberately chosen to address two interwoven social burdens that have continued to impede progress in Nigeria and other developing countries.
He expressed the hope that the discourse will inspire new strategies and renewed commitment to the country’s national transformation efforts.
Dignitaries present at the event included a former governor of Kigi State, Capt. Idris wada, Professor Olu Obafemi among others.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
