By Uche Bibilari
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Aisha Maikudu, has emphasised the importance of education in instilling principles that shape future leaders and encourage national development.
Maikudi, at the 45th inaugural lecture of the university in Abuja, said that education could nurture committed and responsible citizens.
She also emphasised that education was not only an academic pursuit.
“It is also a means of developing positive civil responsibility, integrity, and other essential values,” she pointed out.
Similarly, Prof. Emmanuel Danladi, in a lecture on “Value Education as a Tool for Recalibrating Social Studies Curriculum for Effective Citizenship and National Development,” recommended effective utilisation of value education in recalibrating social studies education curriculum.
He proposed a Value Education Curriculum Framework (VECF) to promote values education acquisition for effective citizenship and national development.
Danladi emphasised that education in a democratic setting should aim to improve the attitudes, values, and skills of citizens.
He also stressed that citizens who learn about emotional responses could recognise feelings in themselves and others, communicate effectively, and develop strong, positive relationships with peers and adults.
The proposed framework, Danladi noted, would help change the mindset of citizens, adding that if the mind remained the same, it meant nothing had been done.
“Education is a positive weapon for the acquisition of value and attitude; value education is like character, which helps you perform well in your profession.
“Value education curriculum should help students and citizens in communities develop strong, positive relationships with both peers and adults,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured the presentation of a plaque and a contract appointment upon retirement to Prof. Danladi by the acting vice chancellor.