Leadership experts task FG on functional education, human capacity development

Leadership and Human Capacity experts under the aegis of the Institute of Educational Leadership Practitioner of Nigeria (IELPN) have charged the government to embrace practical education as the route out of teeming challenges faced by the country.

The submission was made on Friday by the institute when concluding a two-day conference tagged “Functional Education towards an Emancipatory Learning for National Growth.”

The conference which took place at the Lagos State Capital, Ikeja, was graced by people across all spheres of work.

Speaking to journalists on the founding philosophy of the organisation, the President of the institute, Prof Akin Ogunsakin, said that the body “realised that the challenge of leadership must be addressed squarely either, in education, and other industries.

“As educators we look at what we can do to make sure we contribute our quotas to development of leaders especially in the area of education. And that is why the organisation was founded.

“We conduct research on what the leaders can do to change the paradigm, looking at what is happening in Nigeria now.”

Speaking on the connectivity between accountable leadership, responsible citizenry and the place of research and continuous-practical education, he said: “This country believes in certificate syndrome, until we change and believe in professionalism, we may be a victim of the  change sweeping across the nations.

“So having gained insight into the challenges bedeviling the education and leadership in the country, we are trying to re-orientate and unveil best practices which we believe will move the country forward. These we shall do through training, capacity development and research.”

In the same vein, the Registrar of the institute Dr. (Mrs.) Olufunmilayo pointed out that the falling standard of education in Nigeria, and the need to train professionals, teachers, administrators, researchers with solution in mind have been the major courses of the organisation.

She, however, blamed the paucity of fund as a major impediment.

In her words, “We are aware of the falling standard of education in Nigeria and large numbers of people leaving the country in search of practical and problem solving education.

“We believe that we can be part of the solution; hence we intend to train, equip, and strengthen leaders, teachers and professionals who in turn will bring about development to the country. We are collaborating with the schools, Universities, and industries in terms of research.”

Expounding more deeply into the subject matter, one of the speakers, Professor Bamidele Adebisi harped on the urgent need for professionals, the Federal Government and the youths to maximise the opportunities provided by ICT revolution and the knowledge based Economy.

He noted that individuals must first of all improve him/herself, while the government must manage the resources of the Country for the overall benefit of the society.

“If we as individuals don’t learn how to take responsibility be it in technology, building and other aspects by partnering with other people, it depicts we don’t actually have much to contribute for development.

“For instance, there are young people here that are already learning coding, what we want is a scale up of that, so that we can show by example that here in Nigeria, good things are possible.”

Lending credence to the position of Prof Bamidele, on the need to fill up the huge gap necessitated by dearth of skills, one of the inductees, Stella Otiwoh Adu,   (Prolific Stellar) said, “It’s high time we jettisoned stereotypes, holding only on certificate and embrace digital space innovation.”

She noted that, though government may have failed in their responsibilities, teachers and professionals must take skill acquisition and personal development serious to safe the next generation.

Another fellow of the Institute, Dr. Olufumi Harrison-Ajose, noted that the Institute and all relevant institutions should look at education in a functional manner.

“They must be able to let students think and work as a serial entrepreneurs, so that they don’t wait on the government to create employment for them after school,” he said.

Another member of the organisation, Venerable Victor charged professionals, youths and citizens of the nations at large to shun excessive materialism and prioritise knowledge, practical skills and good values, which according to him will enhance the development of the society.