Nigeria: Babangida Calls for More Private Investments in Education
Minna — Former military president, General
Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), has called for more
private investments in education as a way of
addressing the current decay in the sector.
Babangida who spoke at the 20th-anniversary
celebration of El-Amin International School,
Minna, Niger State (established by his late wife,
Maryam) at the weekend, stressed that
revamping the country’s education sector must
not be left in the hands of government alone,
hence the need for private intervention.
The school, which was established as part of her
contribution to the development of education in
the country, General Babangida added, was also
as a result of her passion for the overall
wellbeing and development of women and the girl-
child.
Also speaking at the occasion, executive director
of the school, Dr. Mohammed Babangida, said
that the school was living up the dream and
vision of its founder and has become the most
vibrant and outstanding private school in the
North today.
According to him, “El-Amin runs both national and
international examinations such as WAEC, NECO,
Edexel and Cambridge. It has over the years
churned out students that have today excelled in
their various academic and professional
endeavors.”
Dr. Babangida, while rolling out the achievements
of the school since establishment, disclosed that
the school has been positioned to meet teaching
and learning expected in the 21st century, adding
that in the last 16 years, it has maintained an
average of 98 per cent pass in both WAEC and
NECO.
He pointed out that after 20 years of purposeful
leadership in the education sector, the school has
produced six doctorate degree holders and a large
number of masters’ degree holders in various
disciplines.
Highlight of the anniversary celebration was the
presentation of keys to three-bedroom
apartments to each of the five pioneer staff of
the school who have served the school by the
executive director.