For Devp, All African Countries Should Budget 26% for Education, Says Emeka Anyoku

 • _Unveils Foundation, museum, library on 91st birthday_

By Uzo Ugwunze

To achieve development and economic advancement, African countries should pay keen attention to the education sector.

 A former Secretary to the Commonwealth of Nation, Emeka Anyaoku advised this during the celebration of his 91st birthday in his home town, Obosi, Idemmili North local government area (LGA), Anambra State on Thursday.

Chief Anyaoku called on leaders of African nations to strictly allot, at least 26 per cent of their national budget to the education sector as recommended by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). This, he reasoned will improve  the accessibility and quality of education that will push the continent towards accelerated human and national development.

According to him African states and governments have not been doing enough for the educational sector. The UNESCO recommendation is that 26 per cent of the National budget should be devoted to education. 

"In Nigeria it has really never been more than 10 per cent with the statistics that I am aware of and so the standard and quality of education in Nigeria has been dropping. So, those who can afford to send their children abroad do so.

"I would like to see the governments put more in education so that our institutions can be raised to standards that could enable them and their products to work and develop our country rather than go abroad", said Anyaoku.

Chief Anyaoku (Adazie Obosi) who  turned 91 on Thursday January 18, 2024 made the call during the commissioning of a charity endowment he established with his wife, Bunmi. The Emeka Bunmi Anyaoku Foundation (EBAF), a philanthropy organisation comprises of a Museum and Library built within his country home at Obosi.

Thanking God for attaining the age of 91, the globally renowned diplomat disclosed that all he savings within the 34 years he put up as a public servant in the British Commonwealth of Nations was donated to the building that houses the museum and library

Anyaoku stated that he and his wife, Bunmi, founded a foundation, 'Emeka and Bunmi Anyaoku foundation centre in October 2008, that avails scholars, researchers and General public, access to his repertoire of close interaction with the people and Government of the diverse, 54 member nations of the common wealth, spread across the six continents of the globe.

"The centre houses a museum that exhibits cultural artefacts from Nigeria, Africa and multiracial common wealth countries.It also has a library of books and materials, which include some of the personal papers of Chief Anyaoku, from his days in office, as Secretary General of Common Wealth of Nations.

"Our mission is to promote the study and practice of democracy, management of diversity in Nigeria and Africa, respect for human right and climate change. It also assists the education of the underprivileged children in Nigeria," he explained.

Earlier, the traditional ruler of Obosi, HRM, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, who broke the colanut and prayed God to continue to protect and guide Anyaoku in all his undertakings, expressed satisfaction with the establishment of the centre in Obosi.

In his own speech, the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, (Ike Obosi), described Anyaoku as the leader of Obosi community who has made the community proud.

Speaking, the President General, PG, of Obosi community, Chief Chimezie Obi, said that Anyaoku used the opportunity of celebrating his 91st birthday to also open his museum and library saying that the event attracted the high and mighty within and outside Anambra State making Obosi community a center of attraction, peace and progress.

The PG expressed satisfaction that since his assumption of office in August 2023, Obosi has been peaceful. "Everybody who knows Obosi too well should know that  for the past eight years there has never been any Christmas celebration without kidnapping, robbery, and gunshots except this last Christmas celebration," he added.

The director of the foundation, Miss Oluchi Nguzoro, said that Anyaoku resolved to locate the centre in Obosi because of the love he has for his community.

"Chief, Anyaoku said this is a legacy he wants people to love and value education. We have several youths in our scholarship scheme and we intend  to establish a computer center for people to come and learn and develop their skills. 90 per cent of the workers here are from Obosi and Obosi are not really as bad as some people have misconceived,"

 she further hinted.

Those who graced the occasion included, Governor Charles Soludo', former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Owen Nwokolo, Igwe Pharmacist Alex Oyido of Ogidi, 

Pic shows left -right: Igwe Iweka, Gov. Soludo, Anyaoku and wife,