Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has laid the foundation stone for the construction of Mater Spei Secondary, Technical and Vocational School in Onugba Ukoh, Olomaboro Local Government Area of Kogi.

Obi disclosed this in a Facebook post on Sunday, saying the project was designed to expand access to education while equipping young people with technical and vocational skills that could enable them to become self-reliant.

The former Anambra State governor said he visited Mater Spei Model Nursery and Primary School in the community, a facility established with the support of international donors, before performing the foundation-laying ceremony for the proposed secondary school.

According to him, the planned institution would provide young people from Onugba Ukoh and neighbouring communities with opportunities to pursue formal education while acquiring practical skills needed to participate productively in the economy.

He commended the proprietor and management of Mater Spei Model Nursery and Primary School for what he described as their visionary leadership and commitment to investing in the education of young Nigerians.

Obi also pledged his support for the initiative, stressing the need for individuals, organisations and governments to continue investing strategically in education across the country.

He said the scale of Nigeria’s education challenge made such initiatives particularly important, noting that millions of Nigerian children remain out of school.

“The imperative for continuous and strategic investment in education across our nation cannot be stressed enough,” Obi said, adding that every effort aimed at expanding access to education deserved encouragement and support.

He described education as the foundation for building a productive, innovative and prosperous nation, arguing that quality education could provide opportunities for people from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve success.

“Education serves as the bedrock upon which we can construct a nation characterised by productivity, innovation, and prosperity,” he said.

Obi further stressed the importance of combining academic education with technical and vocational training, particularly at a time when Nigeria faces challenges of unemployment, poverty and low productivity.

He said providing young people with relevant skills would help them become self-sufficient and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the wider economy.

The NDC presidential candidate has consistently made education, human capital development and investment in productive sectors key elements of his political advocacy. (Nigerian Tribune)