The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Professor Vincent Chinedu Anigbogu, a distinguished scholar and leadership transformation advocate from Nigeria, has asked Uganda and other African nations to revamp their education systems. He wants the authorities to tailor education to the ever-evolving global landscape if Africa is to solve its problems and claim a position on the global stage.
Professor Anigbogu, the Director General of the Institute for National Transformation with centers in Atlanta (USA), Nairobi (Kenya), Kampala (Uganda), and Lagos, Nigeria conveyed this message during an insightful keynote address titled “Equipping Youth for National Transformation in a Changing World,” delivered at the sixth National Youth Convention at Kololo.
Anigbogu argued that traditional educational paradigms are often outdated and unable to address the complexities of the modern world. He called for a curriculum that fosters creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability while instilling a deep sense of responsibility and leadership among the younger generation.
He emphasized that with proper preparation, the youth could possess the capacity to not only tackle the longstanding challenges that Africa has endured for generations but also reduce its reliance on imported food from other continents. In his view, if the existing systems in place cannot contribute to solving these issues effectively, they become obsolete.
Professor Anigbogu, renowned for his advocacy of sound, value-based education, emphasized the importance of nurturing the youth who are poised to be the guiding lights of the future. In the same development, he also alluded to the need for nations to adopt a forward-looking approach, envisioning the challenges that may arise in the future and the skills necessary to address them, and then aligning their educational strategies accordingly.
Professor Anigbogu provided a compelling example by pointing to the practices of the United States intelligence community, which produces a comprehensive global trend report foreseeing the future. He highlighted the 2008 Global Trend 2025 report, which accurately anticipated population pressures, challenges related to climate change, increased conflicts, and the emergence of new, robust economies – many of which have subsequently materialized.
He underlined the significance of aligning such projections with educational systems to ensure the youth are adequately prepared to provide solutions in a rapidly evolving world. Speaking at the same event, Janet Kataha Museveni, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, echoed Professor Anigbogu’s sentiments, expressing her own concerns about the persistent challenges in Uganda and Africa at large.
Janet Museveni particularly questioned why, among all the issues facing the continent, hunger still prevails and why Africa continues to rely on foreign companies for road construction when Uganda has technical institutions capable of teaching these skills. Nonetheless, she urged a new approach and called for a thorough examination of problems by policymakers. In her view, if the older generation couldn’t solve them, it’s now the youth’s responsibility to lead in addressing these challenges.
The ongoing discussion isn’t entirely unprecedented in Africa. However, it’s a critical juncture for Uganda as the country actively reexamines its education system to make it more effective in preparing its youth for the future, potentially reshaping education and improving its ability to address forthcoming challenges and opportunities.
Meanwhile, at the event, Janet Museveni issued a challenge to the Uganda Youth Forum, a local NGO she co-founded, urging them to expand their scope by facilitating discussions on development, livelihood, and patriotism. The NGO, primarily known for its activities such as the National Youth Conventions, has been a prominent platform for open dialogues regarding the issues and challenges young individuals face while offering spiritual support.
The First Lady also proposed the merging of the National Youth Forum and Patriotism Clubs into a unified program. This consolidated effort, according to her, would be dedicated to assisting youth in overcoming the multifaceted challenges they encounter as they transition into adulthood, encompassing various aspects of life, including social, developmental, and more.
