Minister urges emphasis on entrepreneurial skill courses

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu has advocated the re-tooling of courses in tertiary institutions towards skill-based learning, saying such would promote entrepreneurial skills after graduation.

Adamu posited that with such foundation, hunger and unemployment would be greatly reduced in the country.The minister stated this at the commissioning of United Nations Reading Hub and unveiling of the model United Nations Association of University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State.

Represented by the institution’s vice chancellor, Prof. Enefiok Essien, the minister said the country was vigorously pursuing a functional education, which is centred on skill -based and entrepreneurial learning, adding that less emphasis should be given to the acquisition of degrees, diplomas and certificates.

He noted that such foundation would lead to the positive change the country is yearning for, thereby, bringing about the timely actualization of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by the year 2030.

He said, “With quality and all round education, you will be sure of the most needed positive change in Nigeria, a change that will bring about a timely actualization of all the 17 SDGs by the year 2030.

“With proper education, individuals will have more entrepreneurial skills, this will eradicate or at least reduce poverty which is goal number one in SDG. This will lead to zero hunger, which is goal number two, and will bring about peace, justice and strong institutions which is goal number 16.

“Education is the surest vehicle for effective change in any society, more so in Nigeria, education in this sense means functional education that is skill -based and entrepreneurial learning, it is not mere acquisition of degrees, diplomas and certificates.”

In his remarks, the vice chancellor described the partnership as unprecedented, pointing out that the United Nations Reading Hub donated to the institution was the first of its kind in the country.

“The Hub is conceived as one stop resource centre for news, notices, appointments, opportunities, circulars, conventions, protocols, treaties, instruments and in short, all up to date materials and information by the UN.”