By Francis Nansak, Lafia
Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, the Nasarawa West lawmaker and All Progressives Congress governorship hopeful, has called on the Federal Government, state governments, and all education stakeholders to redouble efforts to raise standards, especially at the foundational level.
Wadada made the call on Saturday in Nasarawa LGA, shortly after he was conferred with the honour of Fellow of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, during the institution’s 11th combined convocation ceremony.
“Comparatively, the standard of education today, especially at the basic level which is the foundation of any educational system, is worrisome.
“At my level today as an HND graduate of this polytechnic, I can compete favourably with any professor because of the quality of education, moral training, and discipline I received. That is not the case now. The system has deteriorated.
“This calls for concern. It behoves education managers and stakeholders to wake up and strengthen the system to meet the technological advancement we aspire to as a nation,” the senator added.
Wadada said the fellowship would spur him to contribute more to the development of the polytechnic, his alma mater. He recalled that the bill he sponsored for the conversion of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, to a Federal University of Mining was still before the National Assembly.
“The Federal Government has also granted approval for the creation of more universities, and the President has the prerogative to establish any institution. I will continue to contribute meaningfully to the progress of this institution as a payback for the training I received here,” he said.
On the Keffi-Nasarawa-Abaji federal highway under construction, Wadada expressed concern over the slow pace of work, which he put at 30 per cent far below pass mark.
He urged the contractor to speed up to meet the timeline and ease the hardship road users have endured over the years.
“The ongoing construction, courtesy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, must be appreciated. He gave it the needed attention by invoking a presidential order. We must thank him for the show of concern,” Wadada concluded.
