Former Governor of Anambra State South East
Nigeria, Mr. Peter Obi, in London, gave two conditions that must be met for the
largest economy in Africa, Nigeria to overcome its economic difficulties in
order to ignite the needed development in the continent.
Nigeria, Mr. Peter Obi, in London, gave two conditions that must be met for the
largest economy in Africa, Nigeria to overcome its economic difficulties in
order to ignite the needed development in the continent.
The conditions, he said while speaking with at
the sideline to newsmen after the high-level discussions at the British House
of Commons, include huge investment in education and skill acquisition as well
as meaningful support for Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs).
the sideline to newsmen after the high-level discussions at the British House
of Commons, include huge investment in education and skill acquisition as well
as meaningful support for Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs).
He said, “Nigeria must focus on investing in
education and skill acquisition in order to turn round its economy”.
education and skill acquisition in order to turn round its economy”.
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| Peter Obi (Photo:Premium times) |
According to him, such innovative steps would drastically
reduce the levels of youth unemployment, and revolutionise the education
sector.
reduce the levels of youth unemployment, and revolutionise the education
sector.
The former governor added that Nigeria must see
education and skills acquisition as an investment, as this would help to
diversify and grow the country’s economy.
education and skills acquisition as an investment, as this would help to
diversify and grow the country’s economy.
Obi said it was evident that there were large
opportunities in Africa, but to achieve these, Africa required huge investment
in education and skill acquisition as well as supporting SMEs which would help
build a prosperous continent.
opportunities in Africa, but to achieve these, Africa required huge investment
in education and skill acquisition as well as supporting SMEs which would help
build a prosperous continent.
Obi, who since leaving office in 2014, has
devoted enormous resources towards the promotion of education on the continent,
added that “for Africa to transit from exporter of raw commodities to a
manufacturer of finished goods, and become a significant member of the global
technological world, her people must be educated.”
devoted enormous resources towards the promotion of education on the continent,
added that “for Africa to transit from exporter of raw commodities to a
manufacturer of finished goods, and become a significant member of the global
technological world, her people must be educated.”
At the event chaired by the head of the All Party
Parliamentary Group for Africa, Chi Onwurah MP, the discussions were attended
by captains of industry and other British MPs and peers.
Parliamentary Group for Africa, Chi Onwurah MP, the discussions were attended
by captains of industry and other British MPs and peers.
Those in attendance were Lord Chidgey, Co-Chair
from the House of Lords of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Africa.
from the House of Lords of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Africa.
Also in attendance were Lord Marland, Chairman of the Common Wealth
Enterprise and Investment Council; Baroness Lynda Chalker of Wallasey; Emma
Wade-Smith, Regional Trade Commissioner for Africa, who presented the keynote
address, and David Luke, Coordinator of the African Trade Policy and the UN
Economic Commission for Africa, who was also a guest speaker.
