Ex-VP says primary and secondary education should be free and compulsory

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar recently suggested that primary and secondary education in Nigeria should be free and compulsory.

According to Punch, he stated this at the 2016 Zik lecture series which held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.

Atiku said “The importance of education to modern societies and their people cannot be overemphasised. Education is too important to be left in the hands of government alone. Education should not depend solely on the ebbs and flows of government revenues.

“It is education that took me from a small village in Adamawa State to the position that I attained today and helped me to make the modest contribution that I have made so far to our country and humanity. And every Nigerian child should have similar opportunities to reach his or her full potential.

“I could not have gone to school if my parents were required to pay for it. That and the importance of education to nation building is the reason why I strongly believe that primary and secondary education should be free and compulsory in our country and indeed across Africa.”

Also speaking at the occasion, a former Prime Minister of Kenyan, Raila Odinga, praised ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat during the 2015 election.

Odinga said Jonathan’s action restored credibility to the electoral process in Nigeria and Africa.

Participants at the event also eulogised late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, describing him as a great man and true Pan-Africanist.

On Tuesday, November 15, 2016, Atiku Abubakar said Boko Haram would have been properly dealt with if he was the President of Nigeria.

Some political observers have posited that the former Vice President is already laying tracks for his 2019 presidential campaign.

Do you think this is true, and would you vote for him if he runs in 2019?