HOR Moves To Include Leadership Studies In Curriculum

The House of Representatives has called for the engagement of relevant stakeholders to formulate a policy to incorporate leadership training into the curriculum of Nigerian schools at all levels.

The House also said a timeline should be set for the adoption and implementation of the policy to enable every child in Nigeria to be trained in leadership to encourage selflessness, nationalism and patriotism.

These were some of the resolutions following the adoption of a motion on the need to Introduce Leadership Training in the Curriculum of Primary and Tertiary Schools in Nigeria sponsored by Mr Ojuawo Rufus Adeniyi.

In his lead debate, Mr. Adeniyi expressed concerns that continued absence of leadership training in Nigerian schools is depriving the Nigerian child the opportunity to internalize the core values of leadership at the earliest possible stage, and make it a part of their values for the benefit and betterment of the country at large.

He explained that the importance of leadership training as a foundational ingredient and the bedrock of nationalism and patriotism, if commenced at the critical formative age of a citizen cannot be over emphasized.

According to him,” the introduction of leadership training in Nigerian schools will better prepare the Nigerian child for overcoming the challenges of national cohesion, reduce regionalism and parochialism in the conduct of national affairs and promote unity and national ethos.”

“The House is cognizant of the role of leadership training in the promotion of selflessness, nationalism and patriotism, and especially in keeping with global best practices.

The Lawmaker who noted that if immediate steps are not taken to incorporate leadership training into the curriculum at all levels of schools in Nigeria, another generation of Nigerians would be deprived of the opportunity to imbibe the core values of leadership in their formative years.

“The House is also disturbed that the upcoming generation of Nigerian children will in the absence of leadership training be ill-equipped to compete in the global environment of ideas from a truly Nigerian perspective and from the standpoint of national interests and prerequisites of defending. Nigerian national interests”.

”The House expressed worry that the lack of leadership training may in the future pose an existential threat to the management of national resources and defence of national interests.

In his Contributions, Mr. Mark Esset commended the spirit of the motion as responsible leadership is the bedrock of a functional nation and the aim to achieve the training at the earliest level is a most genius initiative, as it is sure to nip criminality and insecurity in the bud.

Similarly, Mr. Sunday Umeha stated that early leadership inculcation is key to the moral development of Nigerians and definitely the right path to go.

The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House committee on Basic Education and Services and that of Tertiary Education and Services.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji