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The elite would rather send their children to school abroad, hence we have neglected our own education.
Former governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke said the country was not making progress because education has not been given top priority.
He underscored the need for concerted efforts to retain best brains who could contribute to the nation’s greatness.
He spoke at the public presentation of Prof. Steve Okecha’s latest book, titled, “The Nigerian University System: Downswings and way forward”, in Lagos at the weekend.
The author is a retired emeritus professor of Chemistry and university administrator.
Duke, who was the chairman of the occasion, said that since education took a backseat, the nation had failed to advance among the nations of the world.
“We are the cause, we the political class have been contemptible of education. The elite would rather send their children to school abroad, hence we have neglected our own education.
”Once you send a young child abroad, he is lost as far as culture is concerned. Such a child would not get to know his culture and would also not be assimilated to the culture of his new country.
“Such a situation would mean that child may not fit in here or there. Even when they come back to Nigeria, they don’t fit in. If I have my way, you can’t leave this country until you are at least 18 years old, or even after your first degree,” he said.
