Students under the aegis of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit, have said Nigeria has nothing to show for the independence it attained 53 years ago.
The outgoing President of the youth-based group, Qassim Badrudeen, said this during the annual conference and award conferment on distinguished individuals by the society in Lagos on Sunday.
He called on government at all levels to invest in education, adding that it would aid the country’s development more than any other.
He said, “In the face of all these, there can be no meaningful development, let alone, sustainable one! It must be emphasised here that education plays an important role in the overall development of any nation. Without an educated populace, there can be no peaceful co-existence.
“It is only educated individuals that will understand the socio-cultural and religious differences of fellow citizens and will respect such. It is regrettable to note that after 53 years of liberation from colonial enslavement, we have yet to get it right on how to position our educational system.
Badrudeen lamented that Nigeria’s economy, education and security were getting worse despite claims by government that the country was developing.
He said, “You will all agree with me that Nigeria has never had it as rough like this in terms of decay in virtually every aspect of our national existence. While our government claims the economy is robust and growing, the evidence on the streets leaves much to be desired. Our educational system is grounded and the future continues to remain bleak for the teeming youths of the country.”
