TNFI wants FG to introduce ‘Character Education’ in schools

A socio-cultural group, Think Nigeria First Initiative has sought the approval of the federal government to introduce into the Nigerian education system a new curriculum called ‘Character Education’ that will mould the character of the Nigerian children into modest, patriotic and responsible citizens.

The Think Nigeria First Initiative in trying to address these challenges has initiated and packaged the National Schools Re-Orientation Programme otherwise known as “CATCH THEM YOUNG” stating that the key objective of the programme is to promote a germane national change in Nigeria as a Programme competently targeting the “seed strata” of the Nigerian national population which is ‘Children and Youth.’

The Director General of the group Alhaji Abubakar Tsanni made the request when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, Tuesday in Abuja.

Tsanni said that there was need to inculcate character and value education into the Nigerian schools’ activities adding that Character education can be understood to be a specific approach to moral or values, and “It is about who we are and whom we become either good or bad citizens.”

The Director General also disclosed that the programme will cover the 774 Local Governments in Nigeria with each LGA getting about 5000 copies of Think Nigeria First Initiatives branded exercise books and other writing materials.

His words: “Our major goal on this programme is to reduce behavioural challenges associated with Children and Youth and build a new crop of patriotic and disciplined future leaders in Nigeria.

“We seek the endorsement of the programme by the Minister of Education through giving the programme the necessary publicity it deserves.

“That the Minister be physically present to flag – off the programme in Abuja.

Finally, we request that the Minister grant us access with relevant stakeholders that can drive the programme with us across the 36 States of the Federation.

“While we are optimistic that with the cooperation of all Nigerians we can achieve this dream, we are also mindful that it cannot be done overnight. As our Father, we greatly expect the deployment of your proverbial patriotism and statesmanship in realizing this task before us. We are very hopeful that you will heed our solemn call and be part of this emerging new chapter of Nigeria’s renaissance.

” We are immensely grateful to Almighty Allah who has preserved us today and brought us to this all important Courtesy Visit to our father, mentor and a pillar of hope,” he added.

The DG noted that the Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu who is working tirelessly to fix the numerous challenges facing educational system in Nigeria.

He recalled that the TNFI was formed as a response to series of challenges that beset Africa’s most populous nation. “We are of the view that God used the 2015 general elections to give the nation a chance to chart a new course for the future as manifested in the excitement and relief that attended the outcome. Together, we co-operated to surprise the world that had come to expect only the worst from Nigeria.”

According to the DG, the organisation which is duly recognised by law is a unique confluence of patriotic minded Nigerians drawn from across the six geo-political zones. Sir, we are a non-partisan, non-ethnic, non-religious “Development Support Organisation”. It is a body that is open to all and we are dedicated to the idea of a united and prosperous Nigeria. Our main goal is to help build a strong sense of nationalism among all Nigerians with our “NATION BEFORE SELF” campaign.

Tsanni told the minister that the organization was born out of the desire to change the mindset of citizens toward patriotism adding “we belief that lack of good moral and character education could be attributed to the decline of values in our society today. The high rate of crime and other social vices exhibited by young ones all over the world is alarming. Every day there are reported cases of militancy in the Niger Delta, rape, kidnapping, cattle rustling, cultism and other social vices in schools and the nation at large. Government, parents, and other stakeholders are always worried about this development.”

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