Wadada Bags FPN Fellowship, Urges FG, Stakeholders to Raise Education Standards
By Yahaya Idris, Lafia
Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, representing Nasarawa West Senatorial District and a governorship hopeful under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on the Federal Government, state governments, and key stakeholders in the education sector to intensify efforts toward improving educational standards, particularly at the foundational level.
Wadada made the call on Saturday in Nasarawa Local Government Area shortly after being conferred with the prestigious Fellowship of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa (FPN), during the institution’s 11th combined convocation ceremony.
The senator expressed concern over the declining quality of education in the country, especially at the basic education level, which he described as the bedrock of any functional educational system.
According to him, the standard of education at the foundational level has become worrisome and requires urgent intervention.
“Comparatively, the standard of education today, especially at the basic level which is the foundation of any educational system, is worrisome,” he said.
Reflecting on his academic journey as a Higher National Diploma (HND) graduate of the institution, Wadada said the quality of education, moral training, and discipline he received at the polytechnic positioned him to compete favourably in any academic or professional environment.
“At my level today as an HND graduate of this polytechnic, I can compete favourably with any professor because of the quality of education, moral training, and discipline I received. That is not the case now. The system has deteriorated,” he stated.
He stressed the need for education managers and stakeholders to urgently strengthen the system to align with the technological advancements and development aspirations of the nation.
“This calls for concern. It behoves education managers and stakeholders to wake up and strengthen the system to meet the technological advancement we aspire to as a nation,” he added.
Wadada noted that the fellowship honour would further motivate him to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the institution, which he described as his alma mater.
He recalled that the bill he sponsored seeking the conversion of Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, into a Federal University of Mining is still before the National Assembly.
“The Federal Government has also approved the establishment of more universities, and the President has the prerogative to create institutions. I will continue to contribute meaningfully to the progress of this institution as a way of giving back for the training I received here,” he said.
Speaking on the ongoing construction of the Keffi-Nasarawa-Abaji federal highway, the lawmaker expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of work, estimating project completion at only 30 per cent.
He urged the contractor handling the project to accelerate work in order to meet the completion timeline and ease the hardship long suffered by commuters and residents using the road.
“The ongoing construction, courtesy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, deserves appreciation. He gave the project the needed attention by invoking a presidential order. We must commend him for this show of concern,” Wadada said.
