Africa must invest in education, technology to develop, says Osinbajo

Zambia- Vice president, Yemi Osinbajo has said
that Africa, as a continent, must invest in
education and technology to overcome
poverty. The Vice President made the remark
while participating in the commissioning of the
$420 million Dangote Cement’s plant in
Zambia on Tuesday.
 Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo with Alhaji Aliko
Dangote
By Levinus Nwabughiogu
Zambia- Vice president, Yemi Osinbajo has said
that Africa, as a continent, must invest in
education and technology to overcome
poverty. The Vice President made the remark
while participating in the commissioning of the
$420 million Dangote Cement’s plant in
Zambia on Tuesday.
He said: “Africa unfortunately remains the
poorest continent in the world. The implications
are illiteracy, poor health, and low income per
capita. Consequently, despite our large
populations, our markets are not deep. Most
cannot afford goods and services.”
Osinbajo who observed that the problem cuts
across the continent however advocated that
the only solution is for governments to
substantially invest in human capacity
development even as he stated the need for
African economic integration.
“We simply must spend money on the people.
We must spend more on education, technology
and healthcare. We must invest in technology
infrastructure to enable our young and bright
boys and girls hone their skills in the competitive
world of technology. We must provide benefits
for the disabled poor, the elderly poor and the
otherwise vulnerable. We cannot afford to leave
anyone behind.
“With 54 countries and well over a billion people,
and economic bloc cooperating through enabling
trade agreements, collaborative tariff regimes,
multilateral trade concessions and agreements
will open up the fastest growing economy in the
world. Enough has been said about Africa’s
Economic integration; it is time to act,” he said.
The Vice President who was accompanied to the
country by Edo State Governor Adams
Oshiomhole also hailed the wind of democracy
blowing across the continent, saying it could
ensure political and economic stability, adding
that there was a big correlation between
development and the stability engendered by
free choice of leadership.