Development is far beyond roads, water, Sanusi tells governments

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has again challenged governments at all levels to realign their policies towards building functional education system in the country.

The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) contended that the concept of development globally has transcended the ritual political promises of road, water and other physical growth, saying significant investment on education would naturally engender other economic growth. 

Sanusi, who spoke yesterday at the opening of 43th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of the Nigeria Society for Haematology and Blood Transfusion in Kano, insisted that Nigeria would continued to suffer from its own limitation orchestrated by its environment if the right decisions are not taken.

The emir said education remains the only potent tool that transforms society and take a country to the promise land, wondering who would manage the physical growth when majority of the populace are stack illiterates. 

“Our only limitation is that which we, as Nigerians, set for ourselves and our environment. When I listen to some government officials talk about development without mentioning education, I feel nervous.

“Development in any serious nation involves education and when you develop your education, naturally other sectors would development. Image if you build bridges and road for illiterates, how would they management the facilities?” he asked.

Sanusi expressed worried over dilapidated health facilities in Nigeria, which he noted is the reason why Nigerian doctors prefer to remain abroad.Citing the story of China, the emir said: “As at 1978, China had only 4.6 million graduates and an estimated 770 million people who lived
below poverty and that was 97 per cent of the population in same 1970”.

“But today, China is the second largest economy in the world. Today China has 190 million university graduates and about 140 million graduates of higher education.

“What that means invariably is that Chinese graduates of secondary education are more than the entire population of United States.”He, however, challenged businessmen/women and well-meaning Nigerians to compliment government in ensuring development of education in Nigeria, saying education goes beyond the government.

Outgoing president of the society, Sulaiman Akanmu, regretted that Nigeria has been left behind in the area of diagnostic tools due to poor funding.He explained that despite human potentials in various areas of Haematology, Nigeria still lacks sufficient tools, making it difficult to carry out basic diagnosis in the country.

While lamenting the high cost of treatment and medication of sickle cell and other haematology patients, Akanmu urged government to include patients of blood related diseases on National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to making it fordable.