International Day of Education: Pyrates Confraternity, dons urge govt to make education foundation for peace
…as Katamaran Deck hosts radio talk show on event
National Association of Seadogs, popularly known as Pyrates Confraternity and two university dons have called on Government at all levels to make Education as foundation for peace.
The Confraternity and the varsity dons stated that it is by so doing that a lasting culture of peace can be entrenched in the society.
The Katamaran Deck of the Pyrates Confraternity comprising Ijebu-Ode and Remo with Secretariat in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State stated this on a radio talk show, Faaji Unlimited on Lion 93.9 FM to commemorate the 2024 International Day of Education.
The programme also featured an Associate Professor in the Department of English Studies, Dr Muhammed Jamiu Oloko and the Head, Department of Nigerian Languages and Literature, College of Humanities, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State, Dr Wahab Ibrahim, as Special Guests.
The two university dons spoke on the theme: “In the Pursuit of Knowledge, We Discover the Seeds of Lasting Peace.”
The Confraternity and the Guest Speakers stressed the urgent need for government at all levels to give education prominence as a tool for fostering human dignity, tolerance, and peace in the society.
They noted that if Education is given the priority and made the core of government’s commitment to peace, it would empower all citizens with all the necessary tools required as agents of peace in their immediate communities and the country at large.
According to them, teaching and learning have critical role to play in promoting lasting peace as well as provide the necessary tools for Education to tackle current global challenges.
Vice President 2 of the Katamaran Deck, Abayomi Obisanya, identified Advocacy as one of the core values of the Pyrates Confraternity.
Obisanya also stressed the need for the Confraternity to advocate on the importance of Education as a tool towards lasting peace in the society.
The central body of NAS in a statement to mark the day partly stated, “This year’s International Day of Education holds special significance, encapsulating the global theme of “Learning for Lasting Peace.” In a world marred by escalating conflicts, discrimination, racism, xenophobia, and hate speech, the imperative for education to be a beacon of peace has never been more urgent.
The UNESCO Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights, and Sustainable Development underscores the pivotal role education plays in fostering a commitment to peace.
“The NAS /PC fervently believes that education possesses the transformative power to break the shackles of poverty that ensnare countless children worldwide. Yet, the lamentable reality persists, education remains an elusive right for millions of children globally. With over 72 million primary-age children out of school and 759 million uneducated adults lacking the awareness to enhance their living conditions, the need for concerted action is evident.
Nigeria, despite its status as the most populous country in Africa and boasting the largest economy, grapples with one of the lowest literacy rates globally.
Merely 59% of the adult population can read and write. This calls for unified efforts to address the persistent challenges in the Nigerian education landscape.”
On his part, Dr Oloko stressed that Education plays a pivotal role in fostering peace and unity in the society.
Quoting the UNESCO, the university don expressed regret that there are over 72million primary school age children that are out of school while 754million uneducated persons exist across the globe.
Dr Oloko further noted that Nigeria as a nation is burdened with the lowest literacy rate due to the fact that only 59 percent of the country’s adults can read and write.
He added that it’s only when an individual can read and write that he or she would know the role to play in ensuring enduring peace in the society.
The university don also stressed that Education reduces crime and prevents war and terrorism, adding that it is key in maintaining peace in the society.
Speaking in the same vein, his colleague, who is the Head of the Department of Nigerian Languages and Literature, Dr Ibrahim noted that Education is a lifetime process which usually begins from birth.
He noted that Education is beyond being able to read and write.
The university don stressed that self-employment remains the best means of engaging the youths to enable them to contribute their own quota to the peace building process and impact the society peacefully.
Wahab reiterated that with Education, human reasoning will be towards the maintenance of peace and stability of the society.
He further noted that Education can also engender good morals in individuals, a tool also required for maintaining peace in the society.
