As Nigeria prepares to join the other 55 member nations of the Commonwealth on Monday, 11th March, for the 2024 Commonwealth Observance Day, the Federal Government emphasizes the need for a commitment to resilience and collaboration to transform education within the Commonwealth.
This commitment is aimed at ensuring equal access to quality education for all individuals.
Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, SAN, said this at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja, as part of activities lined up for the upcoming annual commemoration of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Mamman believed that there is strength and unity within the diverse Commonwealth family to build resilience in the face of global challenges.
He said as the nations navigate through transformative times by leveraging the connectedness of deep-rooted networks of friendship and goodwill, there was a need for more collaboration amongst member nations to guarantee the deliver of quality education for all.
The Minister noted that the Commonwealth of Nations is a unique international association of 56 countries that span six continents united chiefly by the commitment to attain and promote peace and prosperity for member States.
He said: “The commemoration event is usually heralded by a theme chosen by the Commonwealth secretariat to reflect the values, priorities and aspirations of the Commonwealth as a whole, highlighting specific issues that will nurture and support solidarity and cooperation for member nations to thrive.
“Accordingly, the theme for 2024 “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming Our Common wealth will underlie all Commonwealth activities for the year reflecting the shared values, goals and priorities.
“We must note that the theme highlights the strength and unity within our diverse Commonwealth family to build resilience in the face of global challenges as we navigate through transformative times by leveraging on the connectedness of deep-rooted networks of friendship and goodwill.
“Transforming our Commonwealth in education requires a commitment to resilience and collaboration to ensure equal access to quality education for all,” Mamman said.
He revealed that the Federal Government is investing in innovative teaching methods, supporting teachers, embracing technology, and promoting a culture of lifelong learning to enable the attainment and sustainability of a more equitable and prosperous future for all nationwide.
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He appealed to the 36 States Ministry of Education and Federal Capital Territory Education Board to commemorate the Day on the second Monday in March which is 11th March, 2024 as traditionally scheduled for the commemoration event every year.
According to him, this would provide an enabling opportunity to promote democracy, human rights, cultural diversity, cooperation, equality and mutual respect for nation-building.
“To this end, some schools were notified to prepare students to participate in the Commonwealth youth lecture, quiz competition, parade of the Commonwealth Flags, poetic rendition, dramatization of the 2024 Commonwealth Observance theme, Cultural Display and a Dress rehearsal to ensure that every aspect of the commemoration is executed with precision and elegance.
“The youth lecture topics were sub-topics generated from the year’s theme to emphasize the role of Youth in enhancing the realization of the associations shared values and goals for the promotion of peace and unity.
“The sub-topics were “Education: An Imperative for a Resilient Future, Education and Artificial Intelligence and Curbing Social Vices to Build a Resilient Future”.
“All the highlighted activities took place between Wednesday, 28th and Thursday, 29 February to create ample opportunities for students to leam about the Commonwealth member countries, the values being promoted and other issues that will inspire a reflection and behavioral change towards a more Inclusive equitable attitude to life.
“In preparation for the D-Day observance, invitations have been sent b the National Assembly, relevant Diplomats and other dignitaries across the Commonwealth community in Nigeria to gather in the spirit of unity and solidarity,” Mamman stated.
TheWitness
