Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The National Association of Seadogs, Pyrates Confraternity, Awka chapter, Anambra State, has advocated for a learning approach to acquire relevant skills for self-reliance and productivity.
The Pyrates during their hybrid Webinar to commemorate the 2024 International Day of Education, said that education for self-reliance is a viable alternative for addressing the skills shortage and sustainable job creation in Nigeria.
At the event entitled “Education a Means to Development,” they said there is need for society to emphasise skills learning over certificates and qualifications.
The lead speaker, Ms. Jedidiah Uche, who spoke on “Education For Lasting Peace,” pointed out that education is not about certificates but being able to influence society positively with the skills acquired after years in school.
She regretted that some Nigerians hold certificates they cannot defend which make them always to be influenced instead of being influencers and those who champion positive change.
According to Uche, “It is not everybody that has a certificate that is educated. It is because people have placed enormous emphasis on the certificate and not on what needs to be learned which is more important.
“An educated person should be able to interrogate the environment and see what is not working to profer solution for change.”
On his part, a university lecturer and Cap’n Honduras Deck, Dr Vincent Onwughalu, emphasised that education remains a veritable tool to drive and engender peace that will yield sustainable development in the society.
According to him, certification and learning are two pieces of evidence that authenticates that one has passed through the education process. No matter the situation, it remains one of the primary drivers of change and development.
Earlier, the moderator, Emmanuel Udeh, disputed the view that uneducated people are the ones controlling public affairs while the educated roam the streets.
He said “Education has a key role in changing people’s lives. Though there might be one or two persons who are educated but are still struggling. In the long run, education is not necessarily about having certificate but what you are can obtain as an individual that even if you are not employed, you can create something for yourself.”
