EDUCATION NEEDED TO NAVIGATE COMPLEXITIES OF PRESENT WORLD — UNICEF

REPORTER: EMEFIENA OKONKWO

Nigeria and other countries of the world have been reminded of the transformative power of education in building peaceful societies.

The Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Enugu, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, stated this in Enugu during a one day multi zonal press conference on 2024 International Day of Education organized by UNICEF in collaboration with Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, BCA.

Mrs. Chiluwe noted that the theme for this year’s International Day of Education, which is “Learning for lasting peace,” carries a weighty significance, as it speaks of the enduring power of education as a tool for preventing violence, building and sustaining peace.

She noted that amidst daunting global challenges of climate change, democratic erosion, persistent inequalities, discrimination, hate speech, violence and conflicts, education remains a beacon of hope, equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of present world.

Earlier in an address of welcome, the Enugu State Commissioner for education, Professor Ndubueze Mbah, reiterated that “education is the engine that propels progress and development, hence the priority given to the education sector in the 2024 budget of Enugu State.”

Professor Mbah commended UNICEF for supporting Enugu State in critical programmes and projects that enhance children and women’s survival, wellbeing and development.

He pledged sustained collaboration between UNICEF and the Enugu State Government.

One of the journalists that attended the multi zonal media briefing and Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Enugu State council, Comrade Sam Udekwe, emphasized the need for federal and state governments to make more budgetary provisions for the education sector.

There were presentations by Communications Officer UNICEF, Enugu Field Office, Dr. Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe, and the Education Specialist, UNICEF Enugu Field Office, Dr. Agatha Nzeribe.

Meanwhile UNICEF and Nigeria Union of Journalists, Enugu State Council, had a joint Communique at the end of the Multi-Zonal Press Conference.

The Communique among other things called for safe, healthy, hygienic and protective learning environment.

The communique equaly advocated skill based learning system for self reliance.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU