By Providence Ayanfeolwa

Political economist and founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership, Pat Utomi, has identified erosion of character as one of Nigeria’s greatest challenges, while urging Nigerian educators to place greater emphasis on character formation and future-focused learning.

He spoke at the 10th anniversary celebration of Blooming Greens School, BGS explaining that while the loss of health may diminish an individual’s wellbeing, the loss of character has far-reaching consequences for society.

Utomi said character remains the foundation of national development, citing a school which stated that “When character is lost, all is lost”.

He said: “There’s a Government secondary school in Owerri that I enjoy listening to their motto all the time: “Work hard, play hard; when wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.

“The challenge of Nigeria today, is that character has been lost. To redeem Nigeria, we need educators who will prove that it’s about being found worthy in character and learning. “Learning that is divorced from character building is completely useless. Excellence is achieved through consistent practice rather than talent alone.”

He encouraged young Nigerians to embrace lifelong learning and integrity, arguing that a combination of knowledge, character and diligence would be critical to shaping a better future for the nation.
“Education must be about visioning tomorrow and learning what it takes for you as an individual to be able to prepare for that tomorrow.

Earlier, founder of Blooming Greens School, Mrs. Susan Yamah, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to delivering globally competitive education rooted in African values, as the school marked its 10th anniversary with the unveiling of a series of initiatives aimed at shaping the next generation of learners.
She said the school was established with a vision to provide Nigerian children with world-class education while preserving values that promote empathy, discipline and leadership.

Yamah said the school had distinguished itself through its child-centred approach, technology-driven learning model and strong academic performance.

Looking ahead, she announced a five-point development agenda for the next decade, including the introduction of compulsory coding from primary one, the establishment of an A-Level college with pathways to leading global universities, the launch of a teacher training academy, a student endowment fund for academically gifted children, and a student-led internet radio platform.

She expressed gratitude to parents, teachers, board members and other stakeholders whose support has contributed to the school’s growth over the years.