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Education: Buhari assures Nigerian community in France of more investment

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Buhari urges commitment in fight against corruption

President Muhammadu Buhari has 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 stated this during an interactive session with the Nigerian community in Paris, France, on Monday.

He opined that the about five 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.

President Buhari enjoined Nigerian elites, both at home and diaspora, to do more in contributing to the educational sector of the country.

The president, however, expressed 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 added.

President Buhari said return of stolen assets in some safe heavens would bolster the administration’s current effort of investing more in critical infrastructure that directly impact on the livelihood of Nigerians .

According to him, the war against terrorism will be reinforced with new weapons and hardware for the military, while the challenge of abduction and kidnapping in some parts of the country will receive more attention with better gathering of intelligence.

“We campaigned on three key issues; security, improving the economy, and fighting corruption, and we have not been controverted by anyone that we have not recorded some results,’’ he added.

On Nigerians in diaspora participating in elections, the President said the population of citizens in various countries across the world already necessitated their inclusion to elect leaders.

He stated that 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, however, said it could happen in future.

He added that the Nigerian constitution had taken into cognizance the need for representation in the political structures in order to ensure harmony and development, urging more people to pick interest in governance and quality representation.

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.

She added that the large number of professionals had been encouraged to also contribute to the country’s development.

“Nigerians here are law abiding, peaceful and resourceful,’’ she said.

According to her, President Buhari’s commitment to change will make Nigeria the envy of other African countries.

The Nigerians in diaspora, who participated in the meeting, raised questions on education, inclusive elections, security infrastructure and the economy.

Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, a Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Affairs, recently nominated Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Diaspora Commission, facilitated the meeting.

The meeting was attended by Governors Willie Obiano, Aminu Masari and Kayode Fayemi, of Anambra, Katsina and Ekiti states respectively as well as top government functionaries.

NEWSVERGE, published by The Verge Communications is an online community of international news portal and social advocates dedicated to bringing you commentaries, features, news reports from a Nigerian-African perspective. A unique organization, founded in the spirit of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, comprising of ordinary people with an overriding commitment to seeking the truth and publishing it without fear or favour. The Verge Communications is fully registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a corporate organization.

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