Benue State commissioner for education, Prof Dennis Ityavyar, has stressed the need for all stakeholders and Government to take education as a vital tool for economic emancipation.
He spoke yesterday at Ado, Okpokwu, Ogbadibo and OTUKPO Local Government Areas of Zone C during his tour of the zone alongside his counterpart the Honourable commissioner for Housing and Urban development, Chief Ekpe Ogbu with professional officers of both ministries on a direct assessment visit to know where the shoes pinches the rural dwellers as far as the educational sector is concerned. Some of the Government Secondary and Primary School visited includes Government College Utonkon, Government Secondary School Ulayi, Methodist High School Igumele, Government Secondary school Okpoga, Government Secondary School Orokam and Government Model Otukpo. Others are St. Edward's Primary School Aiodu Owukpa and St. Joseph's Primary School Orokam. He said the move will enable his ministry to design a strategy to tackle the challenges so as to move education forward in the state.
The Commissioner enjoined the principals of schools to also do their own bit by taking responsibility to clear grasses in order to ensure that school premises are conducive and safe for learning.
Prof. Ityavyar, while addressing different traditional rulers and community stakeholders, disclosed that his visit is to enable him assess the state of facilities in schools with a view to rehabilitating them and to making the environment conducive for learning. In his words he said: "following the concern of Governor Samuel Ortom to revive the education sector in the state, I have his mandate to go ahead with my colleague the honourable commissioner for housing and Urban development Chief Ogbu to look at the best ways to addressing the dwindling structures in all our schools."
He lamented further that structures in almost all the secondary schools visited have suffered neglect over the years and that government is now going to concentrate on the improvement and upgrading of the structures.
Prof. Ityavyar maintained that several initiatives have been implemented by Governor Samuel Ortom led administration to reposition the education sector for efficiency and top-notch service delivery, stressing that the teachers and other stakeholders have been active participants in actualising the vision of government for the sector.
He gave the communities assurance that the State Government will ensure the provision of conducive atmosphere in terms of physical infrastructure and welfare of teachers.
Prof. Ityavyar further urged teachers to invest their time in exposing students to the best education that will impact positively and help them live a fulfilled life.
He implored the teachers to leave no child behind in the access to quality education by putting in more efforts at creating and espousing new initiatives that would strengthen public primary and secondary schools in the State.
In his remark, the chairman of Ado local government Council, Hon. James Ogaba Oche, who warmly received the team, thanked the commissioners for their August visit and appreciated Governor Ortom for always having Ado in mind for positive development. He however, appealed to Governor Ortom to also help address some of the economic challenges the LGA is experiencing at the moment.
In same vain, the Paramount Ruler of Ufia Traditional Council, His Royal Highness, Matthew Ogbu Egede made a speech presentation on behalf of the community which he briefly outlined the history of Government College Utonkon with a call for government to give urgent attention to the institution and the need for it to be upgraded to institution of higher learning.
The paramount ruler appreciated his Excellency Governor Ortom for recognizing his children for appointment in his administration and pray for God's grace upon his life as he continues to serve the people.
In his final remark,
The paramount ruler said that the Ufia Community is highly encouraged by the visit of the commissioner for Education to Utonkon and thanked the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Chief Ekpe Ogbu for facilitating the inspection of schools in Zone C, which he said is a welcome development. He asked God to grant the commissioners and their entourage safe trip as they journey back to their base.
In the inspection team were: Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Mrs. Helen Angwe, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Hon. Iyama Odeh, Executive Secretary Teaching Service Board, Hon. Dr. Frank Kyungun, Special Adviser on SUBEB, Hon.Tarnongu Saawuan and directors from ministry of education. It was, in deed a full house and a robust outing.
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