From Rashidat AbdulRahman, Minna
The Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Muhammed Sarkin Daji, has advocated increased funding for public universities in order to improve the standard of education in Nigeria.
The speaker made the advocated when he received a honorary Doctorate degree in political science by Ecole superieure De commerce et d’ Administration Des enterprises (ESCAE) University Cotounou, Benin Republic at the 2023 convocation and matriculation ceremony of the university.
According to him, growing number of private universities in the country should not result in the underfunding of public universities.
He emphasised that there was heavy prize to pay by any society that ignores the benefits of educating its youths, calling on government at all levels to take necessary steps towards adequate funding of its public universities in the country in order to improve the quality of education .
” We must not allow our public universities to die for the sake of Nigerian youths who can not afford the private ones, ” he said..
Hon. Sarkin Daji , therefore commended the senate of ESCAE University for the honour bestowed on him, while assuring the institution that the Niger State House of Assembly will partner with the university in the areas of training and staff development.
“Benin Republic and Nigeria have a long history in trade relation and politics,” he said.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of ESCAE University, Professor Mehoba Theodore, said the Speaker was chosen for the award due to his track record of achievements in his political journey spanning almost two decades.
He said that the honorary PhD (Causa) of the university was conferred on individuals who have achieved remarkable progress in public service and contributed to the development of the grassroots.
The Voice reports that occasion was attended by members of the State House of Assembly, Political associates of the Speaker and family Members, among others.
