Founder of David Christian Centre, Lagos, Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo and Queen Naomi Silekunola, have said there is the need to make education a priority as educated minds will build the nation.
The duo said this while they were given honorary doctorate awards by the Myles Leadership University, Republic of Benin in Lagos.
Okonkwo maintained that Nigeria had been deficient in the leadership arena and backward educationally.
He said, ‘‘Definitely we are a bit backward educationally as a country. It is a wake-up call that we should pay attention to education because that’s how you build people’s minds and it is those minds that build the country. The next government has to make education a priority in developing the minds of young people.’’
Silekunola who said she felt elated about the award, added that Nigeria’s education system should be fine-tuned in such a way that dreams were not killed.
‘‘Quality education is something we have been clamoring for, the Nigerian education system can be better. I hope that in the nearest future things will change so that students can go to school with the hope that in three to four years they a graduate from an institution. They should not tamper with the dream of an African child and Nigerians.’’
The guest speaker of the event, Mr Olusola Owonikoko told the recipients to leverage on every opportunity and improve their problem-solving skills.
‘‘It is very important that we don’t just appreciate the education we have but we must maximise it to position ourselves to help others because humanity is looking for you.’’
Registrar of the university, Dr Monday Enahoro, maintained that the award was not priced nor for the highest bidder but to encourage recipients to impact more on society.
Director of Programme, Dr Mathew Mario, said Myles Leadership University was changing tertiary learning in the world with activity-based experiential learning and premium teaching faculty.
Eighteen recipients were awarded the honorary doctorate at the event.
