Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government, Dr. Samuel Kalagbor says ethics and values are essential in building responsible citizens, fostering ethical leadership, social responsibility, good governance, political stability, and sustainable development in a Nation
Dr. Kalagbor delivering a keynote address at the 3rd National Conference of the Association of Educational Management and Policy Practitioners, (A’EMAPP), which held at the University of Port Harcourt reminded the conferees of the importance of exhibiting national ethics, particularly discipline and integrity in both public and private life of citizens.
He stressed that ethical and values education must go beyond theory and translate into practical, impactful action across all sectors of society.
His presentation, centred on “Ethical and Values Education: Re-Engineering for Sustainable National Development.”
While highlighting the transformative power of ethics and values in shaping individual behaviour and promoting sustainable national development, Dr. Kalagbor linked ethical and values education to the broader goal of sustainable development, underscoring the need for Nigeria to adopt inclusive and future-focused policies guided by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Also Read: ONELGA Rallies Behind Fubara: Ward Coordinators Declare Support for Peace Initiative
He cautioned that corruption remains a major threat to progress and reaffirmed the urgency of values-based reforms in education and national leadership. He also emphasised prioritizing marginalised and vulnerable populations through equitable access to services and opportunities.
The Mayor of Port Harcourt who drew inspiration and lesson from country-specific examples such as Finland, South Korea, Norway, Singapore, Canada and Kenya to buttress his assertions highlighted the importance of continuous teacher training and professional development, curriculum reforms, community participation, and the integration of human rights and global citizenship education into Nigeria’s national development agenda.
Earlier, the conference was declared open by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Owunari Georgewill, who thanked the association for organising the conference during the 50th anniversary of the University.
