Give it a name

Different people have different problems and it is no difference for Nigeria. Presently, Nigeria is faced with a lot of problems which include unemployment, economic issues, malnutrition, injustice, problems in agriculture and telecommunication, under development of human resources, poor infrastructure e.t.c. These problems have roots and can be solved through a lot of ways but if I were to develop a particular sector in the country to help solve these problems now and in the future, it would be the education sector.

Someone might ask, why education? I chose to develop the education sector because it deals with learning. We all know the saying "charity begins at home", which means that any form of training and learning starts from home, but what happens in the case of a child who has no home, ever thought of that? Education is a process of formal learning which involves teaching, learning, guidance and counselling. It helps to enlighten and open the minds of people to the happenings around them. Ignorance is a disease but with education it can be reduced to the minimum. Unfortunately, the quality and standard of education in Nigeria is poor because it has not been paid adequate attention to. Countries like United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany and many more who take their education system seriously are all well developed countries. Education is not just lecturing or teaching people, you have to ensure that what is being taught is learnt and understood by all. There is more to education than just teaching. In schools and other educational institutions, there are offices meant for guidance and counselling. This section is a very important part of any institution because they are the ones to guide the pupils and students and help them discover themselves, they are the main parents of the students in school.

Looking at the problems we are facing in the country presently, you will notice that if everyone was given equal opportunity to study and learn, life would have been more easy for us here in Nigeria. Unemployment is a hot issue in Nigeria, and many people are frustrated with widespread joblessness. Unemployment in Nigeria is like a disease for which the cure can be education if things are done the way they should. According to official statistics, 24% of Nigerians are unemployed. These numbers are worse for young people. Official Nigerian statistics say 38% of those under 24 are unemployed, but the World Bank estimates this number to be closer to 80%, if these youths were propely educated and enlightened, they should would have found a way to making a living without having to be criminals. No enlightened man would want to just stay idle, waiting on the government to provider job opportunities instead he would create a job for himself, a unique one that would at least put food on his table but because of our education system, people no longer believe that they are able to create job opportunities for themselves and others. A lot of people graduate from school and find it hard to get a job after their stay in the university, because of this, they prefer to live the life of crime instead of dying out of hunger or frustration. These people are people that are capable of creating a job for themselves. There are alot of things out there to do, a lot of opportunities, they just need to be tapped into. Apart from that, the government can also organize entrepreneurship programmes where they can teach citizens some skills and also support them in starting up theirs.

Most of the products used in Nigeria are all made outside the country and imported into the country. For example, crude oil is gotten from Nigeria but sadly, vaseline or petroleum jelly, a product gotten from crude is imported. Education will help to reduce the rate of importation thereby helping the economy positively. Most of the products we import from China and other countries can actually be made here and used here, we just need people who have being trained to do such work to take it up and it becomes made in Nigeria. If a Chinese family of eight can have a small foundry room where they mould and produce a cast, imagine what a Nigerian family could do if we are properly enlightened and guidedmon how to earn a living.

Corruption is at the root of many of Nigeria’s problems. Corruption takes many forms and infiltrates all political institutions and economic sectors. It is so sad to hear that the government, which is set up to build the country and fight any form of corruption, is now stealing from her own people. This would not be the occurrence if the citizen's are properly in enlightenment thereby making it easier for them to vote into power the right people to serve them. Corruption can not be totally wiped out in a country because people have their individual differences but it will help reduce the rate at which it occurs. Education can also help in the enlightenment of citizens, making them aware of the rights they have as citizens of the country. This enlightenment would help citizens behave the right way to their fellow citizens and to the government.

The country is sick and needs urgent help. What kills people the most is ignorance. For future sake, it would be best to develop the education sector to strengthen the citizens and the nation as well.