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LOKOJA – Former Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has described Nigeria as the worst country for childbirth, pointing out that as many as seven expectant mothers die in every minute from complications arising from pregnancy.
The former Governor made the startling disclosure on Friday as a guest lecturer at the Convocation lecture for the combined maiden convocation ceremony of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, Kogi state.
In a lecture titled “ILL health and illiteracy, siblings alliance against development” , Mimiko asserted that functional development can only be achieved when massive investment is made into Education and Health sectors.
He noted that human capital development and healthy population are sine qua non for sustainable development .
He said Ill health and illiteracy form a formidable counter force to Development which are fundamentally rooted in the scientific and technological literacy which the Confidence University seems to champion.
Mimiko pointed out that Nigeria remain on the lowest rung of the ladder even in the sun Saharan Africa, with a 54% life expectancy due to poor budgetary allocation to healthcare and Education sectors.
He added that if the Nation want to be reckoned with and competitive in global affairs, it must upscale its budgetary allocation to meet the UNICEF benchmark of at least 20% to the sectors.
Mimiko disagreed with the timing and methods used in the subsidy removal leading to socio economic challenges of inflation and attendant hardship on the populace, but stressed that the gains should be ploughed into critical sector of health and Education.
He explained that the introduction of of NELFUND to cousion the burden of accessing tertiary education is laudable, urged the government to come out strong and remain steadfast in the steady increase in funding education in the country.
The former Ondo State Governor attributed inadequate funding of health and education sectors have led to amongst others, poor human capital development, resulting in less skilled and less healthy workforce, leading to economic woes and lack of productivity and competitiveness.
Mimiko pointed out that Nigeria took 162nd position for out of school children amongst 186 countries listed in adult literacy as unacceptable, described investment in education and health as factors for rapid growth and development.
He also bemoaned a situation in which only 49 percent and 55 percent of children in school achieve basic proficiency in literacy and numeracy respectively.
He expressed worry that the education budget of the country does not reflect that of a nation that appreciates the critical role of education in sustainable economic development.
The guest lecturer lamented that Nigeria has 18.1 million Nigerian children that are out of school, a figure that is more than the population of 16 countries in the world, insisting that a healthy individual, makes a wealthy nation
Mimiko described Nigeria as an undoubtedly under developed country, with poor human capital development , poor education and health which are catalyst of social development.
He explained that a deliberate health and education Policy that encourages effective budgeting by National and Sub National Governments is another avenue towards liberating people from, disease ,ignorance and poverty.
The Guest Speaker lamented the working conditions of University lecturers and those in the academic sector, urged for better funding that would motivate them for productivity and decried the worsening Asuu and government relationship.
He expressed worries that Nigeria was growing faster at the early stage of her nationhood, but became stunted due to maladministration and corruption.
He said children are defined by better nutrition between ages 1-5 years, advocated for sustainability of the school feeding program with better improvement.
In his remarks, the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Convocation Lecture, lauded the establishment of the Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara, said the graduating student of the institution have proven that the end has justified the means.
In his welcome remarks, Engr. Prof. Abdulrahman Asipita Salawu, Vice Chancellor, Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, said the lecture is an intellectual engagement that marks another milestone for the fledging University
The Vice Chancellor added that the theme of the lecture, “Ill-Health and Illiteracy, Siblings’ Alliance against Development,” addresses two interwoven social burdens that continues to impede progress in Nigeria and many developing countries towards a renewed passion and strategy to address the bedeviling twin.
