From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
Prof. Grace Offorma, former Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has called on the government in the country to show more commitment to implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the number four goal.
Offorma made the call in Nsukka on Wednesday while presenting a Lead Paper during the 3rd Annual Hybrid International Multi-Disciplinary Conference of UNN, with the theme “Exploring Sustainability of Post-2015 Development Agenda: Is the Glass half full or half empty.”
She said that the 17 SDGs’ success was anchored on the number four goal ‘Quality Education,’ which the country had failed as a result of poor attention and funding of education, noting that education is a significant tool in economic, social, and environmental development.
“Nigeria may fail to achieve SDGs in 2030 because the government has not shown sufficient interest in the programmes that would facilitate the attainment of the goals, especially, Goal number 4 which was anchored on achieving inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
“For any country to achieve SDGs there must be quality, inclusive, and equitable education and life-long learning opportunities for all.
“The government should change its negative attitude to education, as no nation can attain the SDGs without adequate focus on education.
“UN in 2015 set 17 SDGs as universal action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity,” she said.
The professor of Education said that, to move education forward school curricula at all levels in the country should be reviewed to reflect the tenets of sustainability.
“Curricula in primary and secondary schools, as well as tertiary institutions, should be reviewed to meet the requirements of 21st-century education globally.
“There is a need to retrain the in-service teachers to expose them to the right pedagogical skills needed in the effective implementation of the goals.
“Education resources, equipment, and facilities should be provided by the government to facilitate implementation of the school programmes.
Teachers should be handsomely remunerated as a source of motivation as well to enable them to put in their best in the education sector,” she said.
The educationist urged the country to join developed countries of the world to practise mainstreaming education instead of segregated education.
“Mainstreaming education will help the country to attain inclusive education, where everybody is valued, respected, and given equal opportunity to attain his/her potential,” she said.
In a remark, Prof. Charles Igwe, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, represented by Prof. Johnson Urama, Deputy Vice-chancellor Academics said that the conference would explore the different SDGs from the sustainability point of view to determine whether or not appreciable progress had been made and what needs to be done.
“I am optimistic this conference will contribute immeasurably to sustainable solutions to world challenges in an era of globalisation.
“I urge all participants to take advantage of the opportunities presented by this conference to contribute innovative ideas to ensure the sustainability of development in Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
Earlier in a remark, Prof Chidi Nzeadibe, Chairman, UNN Conference Planning Committee said that the event was the third in the series of annual conferences of the UNN aimed at addressing issues of global concerns.
“The conference committee recognises the special significance of SDGs to global development.
“With the post-2015 development agenda now firmly in its second half of implementation, is there a reason for optimism, or are all the effort geared towards 2030 not achieving their objectives?
“The primary aim of this conference is to disseminate the results of research, innovations, and developments around the SDGs at national and global levels.
“To make actionable recommendations, to inform development policy at the different spatial scales,” he said.
Nzeadibe commended the UNN VC for approving the hosting of the conference and for the confidence reposed in the planning committee.
He also commended Offorma, the Lead Paper presenter for accepting to share her knowledge and wealth of experience as an educationist with the conference participants.