Nigeria will continue to promote ideas of Commonwealth – Minister

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, says the Federal Government will continue to promote the ideas of Commonwealth among children in Nigeria to promote virtue, democracy and good governance.

Adamu said this on Tuesday in Abuja at a news conference to mark the 2017 Commonwealth Day Celebration with the theme: “A Peace Building Commonwealth”.

According to him, Commonwealth is the only organisation in the world that is not based on religious or bias sentiment.

He added that the Commonwealth had no constitution and also guided by 16 core values.

The minister said the idea was aimed at promoting international peace, security and understanding.

According to him, it also provides other member countries the channel to interact, cooperate and work together to eliminate wars, fight diseases, poverty and hunger.

“There is no better time for peace building initiatives to be discussed than today.

“The issue of peace is the collective responsibility of actors in society, and this includes government at all levels, families and parents, communities, schools, religious bodies, corporate organisations and international development partners.

“Anticipating the Commonwealth, African Union heads of States and governments saw the need to use education to inculcate the values of peace in young people,” he said.

The minister added that the ministry had unveiled its strategic plan for the Nigerian education sector for 2016-2019.

Adamu highlighted some of the gray areas of the plans to include out-of-school children, basic education, teacher education, adult literacy and special needs education, among others.

He said the plan had also grown to recognise and promote the highest standards of intellectual achievement, technical and professional performance.

The minister added that in 2015, a total of 38 postgraduate candidates were nominated for the 2016/2017 Commonwealth scholarship.

“In 2015/2016 academic session, the Commonwealth commission awarded 13 postgraduate scholarships to qualified Nigerians for studies in UK universities.

” While in 2016/2017 academic session, 16 postgraduate scholarship offers were received from Commonwealth.

“These scholars are currently studying in Nigeria tertiary institutions under Commonwealth scholarship,” he said.

The minister also announced a day for pre-commonwealth activities, which including parade, cultural display, poetic rendition and award of prizes among others.