Former Special Assistant to Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and diasporan businessman, politician, Saidu Ugonoh has highlighted the importance of quality education and strict parental guidance that aligns with societal norms for the overall good of any child.
Ugonoh, who is also the Santuraki of Ebira land, made this call at the 11th birthday celebration of his daughter, Mayeda Saidu.
Describing Mayeda as disciplined, intelligent and extraordinarily humble, the Santuraki maintained that quality education alone cannot build children into a prosperous future, according to him, parents must take the responsibility to ensure that they develop self-discipline and strong character that will make them compete on a global stage .
Mayeda, a ‘Honor Row Student’ in the United States of America at Grade 6, appreciated her parents and siblings for turning out for her but indicated a greater wish that her subsequent celebrations take place in Nigeria as her elder sister’s celebration in July.
He expressed grave concerns on the state of educational studying environments in Nigeria, adding that global institutions have increased there investments in the areas of research and urged the Nigerian government to tow same line.
He commended Nigerian students at different levels who defy all odds to make excellent results under unconducive atmosphere while studying in the Nigeria public institutions and called on the government to upgrade facilities that will make learning stress-free.
Calling on the Nigerian government to improve on educational funding , he stated that the wave of insecurity in Nigeria can be partly traced to poverty , joblessness and inability of leaders to make sound decisions especially in the areas of education.
Offering prayers for Mayeda ,the Santuraki mainatined that ,”we celebrated my blessed daughter’s birthday as she turned 11 years old by Almighty Allah’s grace. The celebration was in school because it was a school-day and she had to first celebrate with her pairs in 6th Grade.
“I picked her and her siblings, Mariam and Alesha after school hours and headed where we picked her cake and did the cake-cutting and had a dinner with family friends. August 18th we were at the Rapids Water park and the celebration continued and I pray most sincerely to Allah to continue to guide and protect her in every step of the way”.
“She has a reputation for making us proud as a family and we pray she continues to do that in sound health and wisdom.”
