From Ijeoma John Nnewi
Former World Bank VP Dr Ezekwesili has said those who think that education is a scam should realize that it is wrong thinking, adding that this generation should have a global mindset.
She disclosed this at Sam Momah’s 4th lecture series held on August 3, 2024, at Anaedo Hall, Nnewi, Anambra State.
The foundation, which came on board in 2020, adds great importance to the economic and political consciousness of the beneficiaries through its support for education and learning as a condition for economic prosperity and political emancipation.
The keynote speaker, Dr Oby Ezekwesili did justice to the theme of this year’s lecture anchored on examining educational advances in the 21st Century as it concerns Nnewi people.
Other speakers were Chief Ben Etiaba, Prof Elochukwu Amucheazi, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, and Prof A. U. Nkemdilim, Hon. Chris Udechukwu, among others. Nnewi Crown Prince, Obi Orizu represented Igwe Nnewi, Igwe Kenneth Orizu III.
Dr Ezekwesili, who spoke extensively on the theme of the event, said there was a need for value reorientation in the whole of Anaedo, which includes Nnewi. She also said the reorientation could be extended to the entire spectrum of Anambra state.
She told the audience that it was a wrong impression to say that it would be better for one to be rich than to be educated moving around speaking big grammar.
In her analysis, Dr Ezekwesili advised that even if one wants to learn skills it would be ideal to have a foundational literacy as an enabler for proper understanding of the trade.
“Nnewi people are naturally intelligent and talented, and you can imagine what the result will be if adequate attention is given to education more than what it used to be.
“Nnewi people are entrepreneural people. The power of the 21st Century is technology which is the dynamite to determine who is in and who is out. We as Nnewi people should see the big opportunity offered by technology. It is only achievable through education.
“Our people should also pay attention to government at all levels; we should pay attention to public accountability and public governance, and we should care about the quality of politics played around us.
“We should lead the way and know that public policy will enhance private initiative. There should be a spirit of collaboration, which can lead to individual and collective success. Unity is strength,” she said.
While answering questions asked by the students on how to be gainfully employed upon graduation from school, Dr Ezekwesili told them they should first have critical thinking to ask the right question.
She told the students that they needed to develop communication skills and creativity. She said they should always adopt the problem-solving approach in their endeavor.
Prof Elochukwi Amucheazi, in his brief remarks, thanked the Momah family for the initiative and the sustenance of Sam Momah’s annual lecture series.
In an interview, Associate Prof Tobe Momah said that this year’s lecture was aimed at drawing the attention of the beneficiaries, especially Nnewi people, to the global benefits one could drive from knowledge.
“The takeaway from this year’s Sam Momah Foundation lecture series is a clarion call to Nnewi to re-galvanize itself as the global beacon of knowledge she was once known for. A city that produced, according to him, the first doctorate holder in Africa (Dr. Okongwu) is unfortunately fraught with low school enrollment figures and declining graduation rates among the youth,” Dr. Tobe said.
Dr. Tobe, who also spoke on what the Sam Momah Foundation has been doing since its inception to advance learning and knowledge, also said that the Foundation had established three free libraries with wifi facilities across three regions of Nigeria.
“As a Foundation, Sam Momah Foundation has established three reading rooms and libraries in Abuja, Enugu, and Lagos, where people can come in and read or use the library facilities including free wifi, ”Dr Tobe said.
Sam Momah was sponsored in his early days in the military to study Civil Engineering in Pakistan having made the highest score when former President Olusegun Obasanjo was the Nigerian Army Chief of Staff.
Sam Momah made a First Class in Civil Engineering and he became a highly influential Nigerian Army General from Nnewi, who also later served as Nigeria’s Minister for Science and Technology.