The President, Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE), Professor Elizabeth Eke has expressed the Association’s readiness to partner with Defence Headquarters (DHQ) to promote quality educational system in the country.

Professor Elizabeth disclosed this today 31 July 2018 when she led a NAE delegation on an advocacy visit to the DHQ, where she identified the Armed Forces as a critical stakeholder in the educational sector owing to the fact that the Military have some of the best schools cutting across the country.

According to a press release by Brig Gen JA Agim , Director Defence Information , she added that the intended relationship between DHQ and NAE will be mutually beneficial to the educational sector. According to the NAE President, “we have come to the Armed Forces, we believe that those who are interested in the future of our country, our region and sub-Saharan Africa, should join hands with NAE to ensure that the downward trend in the quality of education for our children and youths could be arrested.’’

Professor Eke said aside from promoting higher quality education at all levels, the Association equally advises both Federal, States and Local governments on educational policies and implementation.

The visiting Professor therefore used the medium to invite members of the Armed Forces to its forthcoming West Africa Education Conference taking place in Abuja, from 8 – 12 October 2018.

Speaking further on the Academic Conference which has the theme “Education for Global Relevance, Regional Integration and Competitiveness,” she explained that the former head of Economic Community of West African States and head of United Nations Office for West Africa, Mohammed Ibn Chambas, would be the lead discussant, and the former ADG/Director United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Regional office for Education in Africa, Prof Pius Augustine Obanya is among the discussants at the event. She noted that the choice of the Armed Forces as part of the Local Organizing Committee of the conference is to provide the needed security guidance and also ensure a smooth hosting of the conference.

Responding, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin assured the NAE members that the Nigerian Military is willing to provide every necessary assistance towards the promotion of educational system in the country.

Represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Emmanuel Anebi, the CDS posited that the Armed Forces places high premium on education of children of personnel and by extension the larger society.

Aside the immense contributions of the Armed Forces to the development of quality education in the country, General Olonisakin explained that there are other professional military institutions like the National Defence College, Abuja, Armed Force Command and Staff College, Jaji and the Nigerian Defence Academy which has been a degree awarding institution for over a decade.

The CDS, then called on all the relevant stakeholders in the education sector to formulate policies that will enhance Nigeria’s education system while reiterating the Armed forces commitment to supporting NAE in actualizing its noble objectives as education is the bedrock of the society.