President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerian youths to seek education, not for government jobs, but to arm themselves with skills necessary for the 21st century.
Newsonline reports that President Buhari stated that education still remains very important and is the best legacy one can give to youths but it has to be educated in line with the ICT needs of the 21st century.
President Buhari said he made it a rule for his children, particularly the girls, that they can only marry after they must have gotten their first degrees.
President Buhari stated this in Daura, on Wednesday, at the palace of Emir of Daura, in Katsina State, while paying Sallah homage.
The President further disclosed that he had already to his children that he is not living any other legacy for them to inherit but the education he has given them.
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He said, “I was locked up for more than three years, after leading the country. At that point, I realized and I told my children that your net worth is what is in your head, not what you have acquired in life.
“My focus has always been on training the children to be relevant wherever they find themselves. I told my children, particularly the girls, that they can only get married after getting a first degree.
“They already know that I am not leaving anything for anyone to inherit. My greatest legacy to the children is to ensure they are properly educated.”
The President further noted that “the younger children should be guided and taught history, as they would find it hard to be patriotic, responsible and respectful, without a thorough understanding of their backgrounds. “Whoever does not have a good sense of history will easily make mistakes.
“We should ensure the children get proper education. The knowledge they acquire should not be towards getting government jobs. We don’t have jobs in government anymore. With technology, governments are becoming more smaller, nimble and efficient.
“Emphasis should now be on skills acquisition and competence in creation and deployment of technology. During the Covid-19, we asked all level 12 downward to stay at home, and surprisingly the systems worked effectively”, the President noted.
President Buhari also charged parents to inculcate in their children good morals and fear of God.
He lamented that patriotism is dying among youths, and also respect for constituted authorities.
President Buhari said all Nigerians must make sacrifices to move the country forward, especially the public servants, calling for more selflessness and inclusion.
“At the end, it is only God that can reward your efforts, not man,” he said.