Mathematics association urges FG to use members for development

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

The President of Mathematical Association of Nigeria (MAN), Professor Mohammed Ibrahim, has urged federal government to utilise its members for sustainable development in Nigeria.

He noted that without government tapping mathematicians’s potential, national development may not be realised in Nigeria.

The MAN president stated this in Ilorin while speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday.

Ibrahim, who is also the director, Centre for International Education in the University of Ilorin, said government should emphasise importance of Mathematics as a tool to national development.

According to him, “Through Mathematics education, Nigeria will produce creative, resourceful and innovative people for national development and more attention should be given to provision of learning-friendly environment”, he said.

The association, in a communiqué, issued at the end of its 51st annual national conference in Ilorin, observed that Mathematics education is facing serious challenges, saying that little emphasis is placed on the motivation of Mathematics teachers in schools.

The association also recommended that government should re-engineer science and Mathematics education through provision of Mathematics laboratories and instructional materials to primary schools and colleges.

It also said that parents should encourage knowledge of Mathematics from early stage to adulthood, including special children, adding that teachers should use functional and interactive approach in the teaching of Mathematics to develop love for the subject.

The association, which called for employment of Mathematics teachers to remedy short supply of Mathematics teachers in schools, added that teachers of Mathematics should be encouraged to attend international conferences to enhance their professional development.