As part of her outreach to her immediate constituency and a demonstration of her commitment to grassroots development, the Executive Chairman, Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Grace Adagba, on Sunday worshipped with her home church, NKST Church Anande, Mbakunde, Vandeikya Local Government Area.
During the service, the preacher, Elder Ahangba Orwasen, reflected on the lessons of the Lenten season, emphasising the suffering of Jesus Christ for mankind’s redemption. He urged Christians to endure life’s challenges with faith, knowing that glory awaits them.
Dr. Adagba thanked Governor Hyacinth Iornem Alia for entrusting her with the leadership of SUBEB and lauded his commitment to prompt salary payments and vision for transforming basic education.
She noted that it was the governor’s desire that every government reach out to their constituencies to ensure that dividends get to the grassroots.
She highlighted key achievements, including the construction of storey-building classrooms in Vandeikya and other parts of the State, the planned introduction of whiteboards in Basic Schools before year-end, and the rollout of e-dossiers for tracking learners’ academic performance. She reiterated that teachers are central to the success of basic education and assured them of the government’s unwavering support.
To lift her home church, she donated a Public Address System, generator set, wrappers for the Women’s Fellowship, cartons of noodles and seasoning cubes, and bread.
Friends and well-wishers who accompanied her contributed to the church’s ongoing toilet construction project.
The Regional Manager of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Terwase Swande, pledged support for the church in solidarity with Dr. Adagba, noting that SUBEB remains a key stakeholder of the bank. He also reaffirmed Fidelity Bank’s commitment to supporting Governor Alia’s administration.
The Education Secretary of Vandeikya LGEA, Mrs. Cecilia Tyogema, commended Dr. Adagba for her transformative leadership, citing advancements such as payroll automation, classroom construction and renovations, modern learning assessment methods, improved quality assurance measures, and the revival of sports and craftsmanship in basic schools.
Elder Terkura Adagba, who spoke on behalf of the church, thanked Governor Alia for his continued contributions to the community, including the construction of storey-building classrooms and fencing at LGEA Primary School Mbakunde, provision of instructional materials, borehole drilling at the home church,Medical outreach Programmes, and distribution of fertilizers, food items, and wrappers for women.
A key highlight of the event was the decoration of Dr. Adagba in Tiv traditional attire and the presentation of a portrait by the Education Secretary on behalf of all Vandeikya LGEA Staff.
Dignitaries at the service included Regional Manager of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Terwase Swande; Divisional Police Officer, SP Donald Imoh; APC Elder 1, Iorpuu Baaki; Director of Finance and Accounts at SUBEB, Dr. Terzungwe Akaa; Internal Auditor, Danladi Ochefu, Director Academic Services, Mrs. Esther Unande, Dr. Eric Gowon, Dr. Nasela Pila, Dr. Shimadoo Mtswenen, Dr. David Adagba and Staff officer SUBEB Jeremiah Mtsenga.