*As FG/UBE Inspection Team visits Kogi
The vision of Gov. YahayaBello to develop Kogi State has been described as hub for thriving investment, businesses and guaranteeing sustainable future for the citizenry.
The Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja made the disclosure on Friday when he received the Team Lead of FGN/UBE Project Inspection Team, Dr. Tom Ohikere in Lokoja.
The Deputy Governor , said nothing can be built into a secured future without the provision of sustainable education.
He reassured that the state under the leadership of Gov. Yahaya Bello is not only making successes in the Education Sector, with particular emphasis in the Basic Education Subsector.
He added that he has made the State a no go area for bandits, kidnappers, terrorists, armed robbers and for criminals to thrive.
He maintained that the great efforts of Gov. Bello which is hinged on focus and determination to improve the quality of learning and teaching at the basic education level has made the State the most secured in the country, thus laying the foundation for other development to thrive.
According to Chief Onoja, the present administration having considered the importance of education to sustainable development, necessitated making it to occupy the top place in the administration’s thematic areas after health , promised to increase budgetary allocation to the education sector to 25% in the 2022 budget.
While pointing out that aside improving on educational infrastructure in the State, the State Government is working towards the recruitment and improved welfare of the teachers at the grassroots in the State.
The Deputy Governor assured of the provision of vast land in the State for the establishment of Model Smart Schools, as well as the provision of furniture and quality teaching aides in identified schools observed during the monitoring.
Earlier in his remarks, the Team Lead of FGN/UBE Project Inspection Team, Dr. Tom Ohikere, said the aim of the visit to inspect FGN/UBE Projects in the State, is to authenticate the claims of UBEC and SUBEB on Project execution
Ohikere added that the inspection would help to publicize the relentless efforts of the APC-led administration in making quality education available and affordable for every child across the country through universal basic education programme.
Dr. Ohikere commended Gov. Bello for sustaining Basic Education in the State, saying after a careful analysis of the performances of the state, h admitted that the government has delivered on Basic Education.
The Team Lead of the FG/UBE Project, commended Gov Bello for massive and quality construction and reconstruction of infrastructures, lauded the quality and quantity of the job done across the State.
Dr. Ohikere disclosed that Kogi State is on a beautiful track of repositioning universal basic education for all natives and residents, expressed satisfaction that all Federal Government direct intervention project in the State has attained 100% completion.
While he noted that Kogi State is maintaining a leading and domineering role in the learning outcomes of the Universal Basic Education programmes amongst the 19 northern states, called on the State Government to provide land to the Federal Government for the construction of Model Smart School comprising pre-primary, primary, junior secondary and an ultra model ICT complex.
He disclosed that on completion of the project, it would be handed over to the State Government with UBEC providing the necessary support to sustain prescribed standard in the Modern status.
Highlights of the visit by the Team Leader of FGN/UBE Project Inspection Team, was the presentation of a letter of credence to Gov. Bello, having seen the tremendous efforts of the State Government, under the amazing leadership of Gov. Yahaya Bello in sustaining Universal Basic Education in the State.”
