Prioritise primary education, Idigbe tells FG

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr Anthony Idigbe, has urged the Federal Government to prioritise primary education.
He spoke after being conferred with an honorary doctorate degree by the Veritas University, Bwari, Abuja.

The ceremony held during the institution’s 12th convocation lecture and ceremonies at the weekend.

Idigbe, senior partner at Punuka Attorneys and Solicitors, was honoured in recognition of his contributions to national development, law and academia.

He has over 40 years of experience in corporate governance, insolvency, business restructuring, arbitration, dispute resolution, privatisation, capital markets, mergers & acquisitions, and oil and gas.

Idigbe holds a doctorate in cross-border insolvency from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

He is the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dominican University and co-founder of the Punuka Foundation.

Speaking with reporters after accepting his honorary doctorate, Idigbe called for more investment in primary education.

“It is easier to mould a child from the primary school level. With good moulding from that stage, it becomes easier for the child to become a better person during secondary school and university level, but the first training a child needs is the foundation which is the primary level,” he said.

“A strong foundation in languages, sciences, culture and civics is needed. These habits and learning are better created when these children are young and their minds are ready. At the tertiary level, the government seems to be doing a little better, but then if the foundation is weak, there is a problem.

“This is why all efforts should be geared towards starting with the children from primary school.”

Idigbe said the honour was significant to him knowing that the society recognises the effort he has put into giving back, especially through his work on social justice, charity and other involvement in university activities.

Vice Chancellor, Prof. Hyacinth Eme Ichoku, urged the graduating students to imbibe a life of integrity, sacrifice, excellence, innovation, responsibility and entrepreneurship.

“Keep nurturing these values by consistently and patiently putting them into practice, knowing that people who achieve these goals do so with passion; life immersed in time-tested core value,” he said.

The VC, a reverend father, added that they should let God have the first place in their lives, work and relationships.