Insecurity: Alia laments number of out-of-school children

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has lamented the huge number of out-of-school children in the state due to insecurity, and called on parents to take the education of their children very seriously.

The governor spoke, on Monday, at the commissioning and appeal fund for the building of ICT Laboratory and Entrepreneurship Development Centre, at Lenateka Schools, Tyowanye – Shorov, Buruku Local Government Area of the state.

While exploring the need to bequeath a peaceful environment for academic activities to thrive in Benue State, Governor Alia regretted the number of children who are out of school, due to insecurity, assuring that his government will neither rest nor sleep until insecurity is wiped out in Benue State and displaced persons return to their ancestral homes.

He said with the ICT laboratory, Lanateka would help the pupils acquire skills that could help improve their chances of finding jobs, which could be translated into income generating ventures, contributing to economic growth and self-reliance. He appreciated the federal government for assisting the state in ensuring that peace returns to Benue and called on the youth to assist traditional rulers in their efforts to tackle crimes in their communities.

The governor also appreciated the proprietor of the school, Samuel Tough, for his initiative and passion to take development to his people, calling on other Benue sons and daughters to emulate him.

Earlier, Chairman of the occasion, Pastor Afolabi Oketunji, said education is not merely about impacting knowledge, but training young minds and nurturing them into critical thinkers, whose ideas can be used in developing the society.

The proprietor, Lanateka group of schools, Samuel Terhide Tough, said his goal was not merely to impact knowledge, but to inspire a love for learning, cultivate curiosity and critical thinking, and also empower children to reach their full potential.