Shettima commends NEDC for investing in education, green technology

By Kunle Sanni

Vice President Kashim Shettima has praised the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for prioritizing education and green technology, stating that posterity will judge the commission fairly for its efforts to transform the region.

Speaking at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday during a briefing by the NEDC management on the Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme (ASSEP), Shettima described the initiative as a “game changer” in tackling poverty and underdevelopment in the North East.

He emphasized the role of education in leveling opportunities, stating, “Education is the greatest equalizer, through which even the son of a peasant can become a celebrated icon.”

He also lauded ASSEP’s innovative use of Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, which he said would revolutionize learning by improving student engagement and accessibility.

Shettima called for enhanced collaboration between the NEDC, the Federal Ministry of Regional Development, and other key stakeholders to maximize the program’s impact.

“Through tripartite cooperation between government, employers, and workers, we can build an inclusive and sustainable future for the region,” he said.

Highlighting the severe poverty in the North East, the Vice President stressed the urgent need for continued investments in education to counteract economic disparity.

“If the North East were treated as a country, it would be poorer than Chad, Niger, and even Afghanistan,” he noted.

The Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, reiterated the administration’s commitment to improving education standards through scholarships, infrastructure upgrades, and ICT integration.

NEDC Managing Director Mohammed Alkali outlined the commission’s efforts in human capital development, including the establishment of teacher training centers, ICT facilities, and mega schools across the region.

He also announced that the NEDC had signed an agreement with the National Teachers Institute in Kaduna to enhance teacher training programs.