From Moshood Karim
Benin City– The third edition of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue took place on Thursday in Benin City, centering on the theme: “Functional Education and Effective Political Leadership as a Panacea to Africa’s Growth and Development.”
The event aimed to reflect on Africa’s democratic journey and emphasized the need for strategic development practices in governance.
Setting the tone, Ms. Ann Iyonu, Executive Director of the Foundation, remarked, “We hold this democracy dialogue yearly to appraise the continent’s democratic journey, ensuring that our democratic politics and governance are deliberately and strategically underpinned with a development practice.”
Keynote speaker, Prof. Olubayi Olubayi of Cavendish University, Uganda, stressed that African countries must emulate advanced nations rather than follow external directives to achieve genuine development.
According to him: “Africa must do what Advanced nations do, not what it is asked to do”
He highlighted the crucial need to invest in education, particularly for impoverished children across the continent. Prof. Olubayi passionately advocated for the establishment of special schools for gifted children, warning, “If African countries do not implement idea number two (creating special schools for the specially gifted children), our grandchildren will suffer it, we will be recolonized and re-enslaved.”
Prof. Olubayi lamented the paradox where advanced countries subsidize their educational systems while advising African leaders to cut educational subsidies.
He pointed out that Africa, with its population of over 1.5 billion across 54 countries, falls short in scientific discoveries compared to Israel’s impressive record of over 17,000 patents. Nigeria, despite its 220 million population, had just 16 scientific discoveries.
He illustrated his point by saying, “People who can produce airplanes are in your village flying at night with banana leaves, and we call them witches and wizards. People who can create artificial intelligence are in your village putting their backs on the wall and disappearing to another location, and we call them witch doctors.”
He argued that Africa’s formal education system fails to harness and develop these innate talents, leading to technological lag.
Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, highlighted progress in Nigeria, noting that two million out-of-school children had been re-enrolled and committed to integrating the remaining 18 million before the administration’s end. He assured that the focus on education would continue to be a priority.
Mr. Peter Obi, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, urged African leaders to translate their rhetoric into action. He emphasized that providing functional education is vital to eradicating poverty, stating, “The time for talking is over. This is the time to work.”
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State was lauded for his administration’s significant investments in education.
In his welcome address, Obaseki underscored the event’s theme, noting the urgent need for effective education and political leadership to harness the potential of Africa’s youth.
He highlighted Edo State’s strides in public education and called for a functional educational system that leverages technology and digital skills to propel Africa forward.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan urged state governments to identify and model after educationally advanced states to foster national development.
Mrs. Patience Jonathan emphasized that the selection process for gifted children must be inclusive, recognizing talent across socio-economic backgrounds.
The event was attended by numerous dignitaries, including former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan; former Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta; Honorable Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman; former Nigerian Vice President, Namadi Sambo; Dr. Peter Obi; Edo State First Lady, Dr. Betsy Obaseki; and other notable figures from the political and traditional sectors.
The dialogue concluded with a renewed commitment to enhancing Africa’s educational systems to ensure sustainable growth and development across the continent.
