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Universal Primary Education Review in Abuja
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Abuja, Nigeria - UPF-Nigeria and the Youth Federation for World Peace-Nigeria organized a one-day symposium on the UN Annual Ministerial Review for ECOSOC on the topic of universal primary education at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja on July 2. The 2011 Annual Ministerial Review will be held during the High-level Segment of ECOSOC at Les Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. It will focus on "Implementing the internationally agreed goals and commitments in regard to education." Universal primary education is one of the UN Millennium Development Goals.
There has been tremendous progress towards universal primary education during the past decade, especially in developing countries. Limited access to education, high drop-out rates and grade repetition, and poor quality of education, however, remain important challenges to the full achievement of this goal. At least 72 million children of school age are still denied the right to education due to financial, social, or other challenges, including high fertility rates, HIV/AIDS, and armed conflict.
During former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime, Universal Primary Education was renamed Universal Basic Education in Nigeria, and the Nigerian government since then has invested lots of resources in this area. So it was quite appropriate to call all stakeholders together: educators, religious and business leaders to reexamine how the government efforts have fared in this decade.
Several prominent people including the Founder an Pro-Chancellor of Tansian University, Anambra State Prof. John Bosco Akam, and HRH Sheikh Harison Yusuf Bungon, King of FATYAP and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic Damaturu were among the prominent participants who presented papers on the subject matter. Directors of the Niger Delta Development Commission were also on hand to discuss their commission’s contribution to education and uplifting the general level of education in Nigeria. There were over 120 leaders and youths in attendance.
Because of the very busy schedule in preparation people coming to Nigeria for the UPF International Leadership Conference, the Secretary General of UPF-Nigeria Rev. Olaleye Alao could not be present. Eras Darlington Eguaoje, President of the Youth Federation for World Peace-Nigeria, and Rev. Una Smart, National Adviser to the Nigeria Clergy Leadership Conference, and youth coordinators from several states in Nigeria contributed to the event's success.
Several people received Ambassador for Peace certificates or Youth Ambassador for Peace certificates. The program ended with a dinner and prayers from both the Muslim and Christian faiths.