Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has said that effective educational system remains the most potent panacea to the scourge of the dreaded Islamic sect , Boko Haram . Obasanjo who spoke Friday in Benin , capital of Edo state , at the 11th Convocation Lecture of the Benson Idahosa University (BIU ) , on the topic; “ Effective Educational System : A panacea for Societal Development and Transformation , ” said based on a survey of education across the six geo-political zones of the country in 2010 , it was evident that Boko Haram was a menace waiting to happen . He said for the war on Boko Haram to be won irrespective of the military onslaught, there was need for education to be used as a tool just as he carpeted religious leaders who had abandoned preaching tolerance ad peace to violence and extremism “If we are able to tackle Boko Haram with education in our schools , both in the social media that they use , we will dilute their messages and positively win their hearts and others who have been swayed by the Jihadists messages. “To succeed with counter messages , we need to be more appealing and truthful and as intense as those of Boko Haram if not more . The capacity of all teachers should be strengthened to deliver such messages. Morning and afternoon assemblies of our primary and secondary schools should have a strong dose of such messages . Our airwaves and social media should also be saturated with such positive messages . Even if we defeat Boko Haram on the battle front, we need education to sustain the victory . “Let me give you an insight. In 2010 there was a survey of education in Nigeria and among the six geo-political zones ; in the south west , it was 79 percent that are educated, in the south east, it is about 78 percent in the north east, where Boko Haram dominates , it is 19 percent and that is one of the reasons people believe that Boko Haram was a menace waiting to happen. “We have to reverse that trend , maybe the situation has even gone worse in the last five years because people have moved out of school , some schools have been destroyed and we cannot fold our arms and say it is up to the north east , it is up to all of us in Nigeria , we have to do what should be done to bring parity in the area of education across the length and breadth of the country, ” Obasanjo said . He therefore urged President Buhari to tackle the war against Boko Haram from the angle of morale education , saying , “Education is a moral enterprise which we need to re -engage. Speaking on the impact of social media in the country, the ex President condemned what he called the negative effect of social media on students , pupils and even parents and teachers who he said are fast losing the moral grip of their wards. Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Professor Ernest Izevbigie, announced that 871 students would graduate from the university , out of which 86 were post graduate graduands and 785 first degree graduates .

http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/07/18/effective-education-the-panacea-to-end-boko-haram-obasanjo/





lalasticlala

that's if most of our northern brothers will willing go to school.

So , why did Obasanjo not directly credit the far- sighted ex President Goodluck Jonathan for his excellent educational policy of fighting this menace with almajiri schools ? Therefore , there is nothing new in this man ’ s proposal . In fact , he merely plagiarized -Gkz onathan ’ s open views without the courtesy of due acknowledgement. Sooner than later, Nigerians will begin to bemoan their loss of Jonathan as they start comparing . & -gcontrasting among Buhari , Obasanjo & Jonathan.

19% dat is horrible
South west 79% south east 78% igbos chasing yorubas since 109BC

Education and some northern areas run in parallel lines. Their definition of education is restricted to arabic studies. No achievement motivation, no effort to think and be creative. It is conservatively static.

Tales by moonlight; He is making proposals as if he did same during his time in power.

tell them oh

This man called Obasanjo is a complete definition of HYPOCRITE. When the GEJ led administration was building ALMAJIRI schools in the north,he was busy condemning him.

Despite what they did to the lgbos during and after the war. Educationally, the East pursued them and overtook them.Yes,from the current satistics, the East is topping the West.That's why Anambra is always coming first in education-Waec,Neco,schools debate,mathematics competitions etc.Even Tinubu said it,when they used school quiz and debate to select a kid who would be the governor of Lagos State for a day,for three consecutive years the kids were from the East.

Emekamex:
Tales by moonlight; [s]He is making proposals as if he did same during his time in power.[/s]

don't just criticize people's statement with false accusation.

Obasanjo tried his own best on education, most especially, basic education.

Guess you don't know anything about UBE!

The Universal Basic Education (UBE) Programme is a nine (9) year basic educational programme, which was launched and executed by the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to eradicate illiteracy, ignorance and poverty as well as stimulate and accelerate national development, political consciousness and national integration. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo flagged off UBE on 30 th September 1999 in Sokoto , Sokoto State. The UBE Programme is Nigeria's strategy for the achievement of Education for All (EFA) and the education-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Tolexander:
don't just criticize people's statement with false accusation.

Obasanjo tried his own best on education, most especially, basic education.

Guess you don't know anything about UBE!

If so, why is the north filled with illiterates?

Emekamex:

If so, why is the north filled with illiterates?

the right question you could have thrown is if the literacy level increased or not in the north during Obasanjo's tenure.