The Coordinator of Kogi Economic Literacy for Budget Accountability in Governance (KELBAG), Mr Victor Adejoh, made the call in his opening address at the group’s quarterly meeting in Lokoja.
He explained that the formative stage of an individual’s life was often at the basic education level, stating that quality primary education was fundamental to formation of character for a better society.
Adejoh indentified poor reading culture, malpractices and mass failure in public examinations as major challenges threatening the education sector.
The coordinator said: “While a lot of resources have been invested in tertiary education, the government has not paid adequate attention to basic education.
This accounts for the many challenges facing the state with youths engagement in examination malpractices, deviant behaviours, dearth of knowledge and skills in reading, writing and spoken English.”
Adejoh, however, urged members of the KELBAG, supported by ActionAid Nigeria, not to relent in their efforts to partner government in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of budget policies.
Urging KELBAG members to see themselves as an integral part of government, the coordinator said: “The bedrock of good governance is its accountability and transparency.”
Adejoh is also the Director, Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID), a Kogi State-based civil society organisation.
