By Francis Nansak, Lafia.

Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, representing Nasarawa West and an All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship hopeful, has urged the Federal Government and education stakeholders to redouble efforts to raise standards, particularly at the foundational level.

Wadada made the call on Saturday in Nasarawa LGA, shortly after he was conferred with the honour of Fellow of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, FPN, during the institution’s 11th combined convocation ceremony.

The senator expressed concern over the decline in basic education, which he described as the foundation of any educational system.

“Comparatively, the standard of education today, especially at the basic level which is the foundation of any educational system, is worrisome,” he said.

Recalling his experience as an HND graduate of the polytechnic, Wadada said: “At my level today as an HND graduate of this polytechnic, I can compete favourably with any professor because of the quality of education, moral training, and discipline I received. That is not the case now. The system has deteriorated.”

“This calls for concern. It behoves education managers and stakeholders to wake up and strengthen the system to meet the technological advancement we aspire to as a nation,” he added.

Wadada said the fellowship would spur him to contribute more to the development of his alma mater. He noted that the bill he sponsored for the conversion of FPN to a Federal University of Mining is still before the National Assembly.

“The Federal Government has also granted approval for the creation of more universities, and the President has the prerogative to establish any institution. I will continue to contribute meaningfully to the progress of this institution as a payback for the training I received here,” he said.

On infrastructure, the senator expressed worry over the slow pace of work on the Keffi-Nasarawa-Abaji federal highway, which he put at 30 per cent, “far below pass mark.”

He urged the contractor to accelerate work to ease the hardship road users have endured.

“The ongoing construction, courtesy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, must be appreciated. He gave it the needed attention by invoking a presidential order. We must thank him for the show of concern,” Wadada concluded.