Lawmaker Faults Education Minister On 18years Age Limit For Varsity Education

ABEOKUTA – Chairman Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, Senator Kenneth Eze has disagreed with Education Minister, Prof. Tahir Mamman over his planned to extend University entry admission to 18 years.

Fielding questions from our Correspondent on the proposed entry age of Nigerian Children into tertiary institutions to be 18 years by Minister of Education, Senator Eze argued that It would be retrogressive and inimical to the progress of the children.

He said, “I may not know the reason by the Minister of Education, for advocating for such policy, trying to peg an age limit.

“I know that when it comes to the National Assembly, we definitely have to debate it, and by then we have to know his reason. But I know that in education, academic performance depends on individuals.

“If for instance, a child has a very high intellectual ability, you cannot use age limit to keep that child out of school. So, it depends on the child’s performance; it depends on what that child can do.

“There are people who are more intelligent than others. You cannot use age limit to retard a child’s progress in education by forcing a child who has passed certain level to stay at home until he attains a particular age before resuming school in tertiary institution.”

The lawmaker further noted,”That is not good at all, and I don’t think that it is going to be obtainable.

“If and when the matter comes to the National Assembly, we are going to look at it and know what is best for Nigerians and give our support to only what will lead to the progress and happiness of our people. We are the representatives of our people and we will only do what is in their best interest.”

On the planned on increment in electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) expressed optimism that National Assembly would certainly convince the Federal government and NERC to review down ward the hike for the benefit of the poor masses.

“Well, it is one of those issues that are nagging in the system because when you engage the operators of this electricity billing, when you hear from them, it will look as if it is justified. But on the side of the masses, considering the challenges, the economic downturn, you will just know that it is not the right time to begin to talk about increment in tariff.

“But in order to continue the energy generation and supply, the operators will tell you that they lack fund to do the basic things in order to sustain the supply of electricity.

“So, we have to be very pragmatic about it and look at both sides of the matter, because it is really a very difficult situation. However, I am happy that the National Assembly is already looking at the matter.

“The Senate is already intervening by engaging the critical stakeholders to see how to ameliorate the sufferings of the people because not many people can afford to buy electricity in Nigeria today.”

Continuing he added,”But at the same time, it is better to say that we have steady electricity distributed to the masses and then pursue money to pay the bills than not having it and be in total blackout.

“So, that’s the challenge before us. When you discuss with the operators, they will tell you that if they continue with the same billing rates, it will come to a point where there will be no supply of electricity, and that the industry cannot just be sustained.

“And mind you, the industry is being driven by the private sector. They need to pay their own bills, pay their staff and generate as well as distribute electricity to Nigerians. So, you can see that it is a two-way thing.

“You can not condemn it outrightly, and we are working closely with them to see how we can ameliorate the suffering of the poor masses, so that they can equally enjoy the electricity. “