Shagari tasks FG on education of Albinos
BY CHRIS OCHAYI
ABUJA—Former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, has asked the Federal Government to ensure the inclusion of albinos in all-encompassing educational policy of the country.
Alhaji Shagari, who stated while receiving in his residence the Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, and her entourage, as part of activities marking the 57th National Council on Education, in Sokoto, urged the government to adopt and publish for circulation‘ the quick guide for teachers and educators of students with albinism.
The former President commended the present administration’s efforts in repositioning the education sector, as well as setting up of the Committee to review challenges of albinos as it related to their education.
He called on the Federal Government to consider the inclusion of albinos among the vulnerable and physically challenged persons in the all-inclusive educational policy in line with international policy framework.
Alhaji Shagari said as a Grand Patron of the Albino Foundation, he strongly recommends the immediate inclusion of albinos in the all inclusive educational policy and urged the Minister to adopt and publish for circulation‘ The Quick Guide for Teachers and Educators of students with albinism.
As a passionate educator, he pledged his support for the development of the education sector, especially in the area of advocacy at all levels of education; and urged all stakeholders in the sector not to relent their efforts in tackling the challenges facing the sector, stressing that there are no problems that cannot be solved if there is the will and determination.
In her remarks, the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i said that the problems in the education sector are quite daunting and occurring year-in year-out hence the Federal Government set up the Presidential Task Force on Education to x-ray and outline ways of addressing the challenges once and for all.
She noted that those issues listed as problems four or five decades ago still persist in spite of the annual budgetary allocation to the sector by both Federal and State governments.
Prof. Rufa’i enumerated steps being taken to reposition the Nigerian education sector, stressing that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is committed to repositioning the education sector to be able to play its pivotal role as a driving force of other sectors of the economy and catalyst in the realization of vision 20:2020.
The Hon. Minister commended the former President for his role in keeping the unity of the country and peaceful co-existence in Sokoto State.
