The National Association of Ogulagha Clan Students (NAOCS) has reiterated the all important role education plays in the drive for socio-economic development and cultural diversity.
This is as the apex student in Ogulagha kingdom called for all hands to be on deck towards the actualization of a socially developed community that accommodates cultural diversity.
This formed part of the conversation during a symposium at the 24th edition of NAOCS biannual convention at Obotobo I community.
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Guest speaker at the symposium, Comrade Shedrack Agediga, Executive Director, Planning, Research and Statistics on the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Commission, described education as foundation for all round development.
Speaking on the topic “The Role of Education in Socio-Economic Development and Cultural Diversity,” Agediga, who was represented by his Personal Assistant on Student Affairs, Comrade Williams Ayoromiegha, stressed that education in all its forms is essential to development.
Defining socioeconomic development as the “process of identifying both social and economic needs of society”, Agediga said;
“The preparation for future success begins with educating the mind in such a way that promotes critical thinking, technical know how and civility.
“While it’s safe to say that no one knows what will happen tomorrow, having an education under your belt will open the door to more opportunities.
“These opportunities are also likely to pay more with more education, so what you do today in terms of education will surely prepare you for what’s yet to come.
“Education is an engine of national development. According to World bank, Education has successfully increased productivity in countries like Brazil, korea, Malaysia, Thailand and in South East Asia. These were erstwhile very poor countries, but today the narrative has changed.
“The 30 billion dollar question that it’s answer is already embedded in the trajectory of the lecture remains; What is the role of Education in Socio economic development and cultural diversity?
“While education is meant to empower individual with skill sets and productive values, socio economic development of any community or state is greatly predicated upon the education of its populace.
“Entrepreneurs, scientists, writers, doctors, engineers and others and the ability of the populace to master the various mentioned careers, determines greatly the level of development in the community now and in the future. Education is the very life wire of development.
“High-valued education system encourages freshness of approach. This is where Education differs from indoctrination. Indoctrination may intend to keep a people within a particular scope of knowledge, not for their freedom but to ensure control of society by a few who benefits from an indoctrinated population.
“It is Education that is expected to bring new and fresh ideas for the advancement of society. It should also teach them ethical values enabling them to promote the human-welfare, not self-glorification.
“As have been earlier exposed, the grand norm of cultural diversity is live and let live. Being able to comprehend and foster unity of purpose in the midst of a diverse culture.
“Nigeria is a culturally diverse country and while there are issues of ethnic suspicion, it is Education that has acted as the thin thread that has stopped the nation from imploding, however the tension may have seen in recent years.
“It is Education that raises the consciousness to be sensitive to the cultural values of others, thereby creating some level of stability and balance in society. All of these are embedded in the character moulding function of education.
“The National association of Ogulagha clan students is faced with the burden of expressing and contributing to the kingdom in a manner that is expected of the educated in society.
“These contributions, especially when we put some of our most recent challenges in context, like Drug addiction, social misdemeanor and moral and idea bankruptcy amongst her youth, I am sure we will see the urgency to re-strategize for the development of our communities and kingdom.
“If education of the population does not translate to a change of mindset for development, we can correctly assert that the education and its systems have failed.
“So, in order for us not to be accused as a generation of ever learning and never coming to the knowledge of truth, we must understand and show that education truly is in the development of character and learning.”
On her part, NAOCS President, Ms. Happiness Nimughan said the body aimed carrying the younger generation along in the conversation of education, socioeconomic development and cultural diversity.
