Elder statesman and former Minister of Education, Prof Ihechukwu Madubuike, has hailed the budgetary allocation to Education for the 2024 fiscal year by the Abia State Government.
He noted that such bold and courageous step by Governor Alex Otti was in line with the premium placed on the sector by visionary leaders of the old from the region such as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Michael Okpara and Chief Sam Mbakwe.
The governor on Tuesday, presented a budget of N567, 240, 095, 972. 00 before the Abia State House of Assembly.
Presenting the Appropriation Bill christened “Budget of new beginning” on the floor of the Assembly, Otti said he deliberately structured the key items in the budget to reflect the priorities of the state.
Education took the highest allocation of 20 per cent, followed by Health with 15 per cent.
Madubuike described the Abia budget as well articulated and the highest in many years, even as he prayed for its wholesome implementation.
I laud the foresight and courage of Governor Otti for budgeting 20% to the Education sector. It’s historic as it reminds us of the supreme importance which our visionary leaders attached to education and the glory and honour it brought to our people. Nnamdi Azikiwe invested some 45% of government revenues to Education and most of the States of the SE are today reaping the benefits.
“Imo State, for instance, remains one of the most literate states in the country.
Imo and Anambra alone counted for more than half of the total number of the candidates for the 2010 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. Education remains the greatest development resource you can give the people.
I also commend the prominence given to Agriculture, especially the creation of agro-industrial zones. I had in a speech recently at Umuahia, opined that in all these, the farmer must be at the centre of government’s interventions. Most governments in the world give subsidies to farmers and create solar farmers.
“As we move forward, I hope government will do the needful,” the ex-minister said.
