Education Minister tells agencies to address challenges through legislative process

Apparently worried by certain complaints from some agencies under his ministry, minister of state for education, Rt Hon Goodluck Nanah Opiah, has advised them to explore the use of legislative process to tackle the challenges.

Since assuming office last month after appointment, agencies under the ministry have been briefing the minister about their operations.

Part of the interface that holds at the Ministry of Education in Abuja is the opportunity for the various establishments to reel out challenges facing them.

Most of the chief executives of the agencies who have visited the Minister’s office raised concern concerning strengthening the laws that set up their establishments which some informed are at various stages in the federal parliament.

After listening to the Librarians Registration Council of Nigeria, LRCN, through Alhaji Jafaru Abdulahi Wase, the Acting Registrar/CEO and Prof Promise Mebine of the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja, who led their teams to the Minister’s office, Rt Hon Opiah advised those with difficulties related to establishment structure and operations, to consider using legislative process through the national assembly as a solution.

Rt Hon Opiah who took time to hear from the heads of the two establishments opted for the use of the parliamentarians of both the Senate and House of Reps to make laws for the good of the agencies.

While asking the two groups who visited his office to improve on self sufficiency so as to reduce dependency on government for survival, the minister called for public support from thev private sector and corporate entities to some of the agencies since government can’t do it alone.

The minister requested the Librarians Registration Council and the mathematical centre to go further in exploiting ways of getting the support of international agencies in running their programs.

He told the LRCN to do more on E-library based activities so as to increase interest in reading.

“The reading culture is dying gradually especially among our youths who dwell more with phones in recent times. Increase sensitisation for an improved reading culture. You have a role to play as a body to enhance an improved reading culture.

“The library affords the chance for one to link up to the world. If we develop the right system, we can increase interest in reading” the minister added.

Responding to the Mathematical Centre officials, Rt Hon Opiah said that since everything about life resolves around mathematics, the agency should create more awareness of its programs and engage in extensive crusade to attract attention. He also asked the centre to invest in programs that will lure more international bodies to its activities.

After listening to the briefs which are related to their operations and challenges, the minister, during his speech promised to look into issues raised.Rt Hon Opiah assured them of the support of the education ministry adding that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration places premium on ways to ensure government agencies respond to public wants without much constraints.

*Kelechi Mejuobi*
Special Assistant, Media/Public Affairs to the Hon Minister of State for Educ