Why Peter Obi speak to Northern children attending Arabic school

Yesterday, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, spoke on behalf of Northern children who attend Islamic schools (Quranic/Arabic schools).
The former Governor of Anambra State noted unequivocally that the northern children are well-versed in the Islamic holy book; thus, if elected, his administration would capitalize on the children’s quranic proficiency to provide them with a skill-based career path.

According to Track News, Obi mentioned this on Sunday during a televised conversation on Arise Television.

Obi and other presidential candidates for 2023, including Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Atiku Abubakar and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) candidate Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso, spoke at the Arise TV town hall meeting about what they would do for Nigerians if elected.

Obi stated that northern children’s ability to master the Islamic holy book means that the children will be able to master skills that will allow them to hike out of poverty.

“Knowing the Quran demonstrates intelligence.”

” Obi stated that if elected, this would be part of his broader response to Nigeria’s education crisis.
“I’ll meet them where they’re learning Quran and tell them they can have skills,” he said.

“We need more inspection across state and local government, as well as more investment in education.”

According to UNICEF estimates, northern Nigeria has lagged behind the rest of the country in terms of education for decades, with the region accounting for a sizable proportion of the country’s out-of-school children.

Obi has repeatedly stated that education has the potential to help lead Nigeria out of endemic poverty and deprivation. If he is elected in the upcoming presidential election, he has pledged to dedicate 10% of federal budgetary resources to education, a feat never before accomplished in the country’s 62-year history.