Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the Federal Ministry of Regional Development to prioritize investments in education as a means to combat poverty in the region.
Speaking at a meeting with NEDC management at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he was briefed on the Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme (ASSEP), Shettima commended the commission’s efforts in education, stating that such initiatives would leave a lasting legacy.
He described education as “the greatest leveller” that could uplift even the most disadvantaged individuals and stressed the need to sustain the momentum of the ASSEP initiative.
Highlighting the extreme poverty in the North East, Shettima compared the region’s situation to some of the poorest areas in the world and linked the rise of militant groups to these dire socioeconomic conditions.
Despite these challenges, he praised NEDC and its partners, including Dr Mariam Masha, for their commitment to ASSEP, emphasizing its potential to reshape the educational landscape of the region. He particularly lauded the introduction of Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, which he said were revolutionizing learning by enhancing engagement and knowledge retention.
“These digital tools will help the region leapfrog into the industrial age, providing immense benefits such as improved knowledge retention and remote learning capabilities,” he stated.
Shettima called on the NEDC, the Ministry of Regional Development, and other stakeholders to collaborate effectively to ensure the success of ASSEP. He also acknowledged the commission’s challenges but commended its leadership for adhering to due process and regulations.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Ahmadu, noted that ASSEP was designed to enhance secondary education in the North East, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s broader agenda to improve education standards nationwide.
Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, NEDC’s Managing Director, highlighted the commission’s investments in human capital development, including teacher training and the establishment of ICT centres across the region.
The meeting ended with Alkali and Dr Masha presenting VR headsets to the Vice-President in recognition of his support for the initiative.
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