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- Government declares free education
From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
As part of efforts to improve teaching and learning in Kogi State, NNPC, Chevron, and Lukoil oil companies have donated computers and trained teachers in Kogi State Secondary Schools.
The Kogi State Commissioner For Education Science and Technology, Hon Wemi Jones, made the disclosure while officially receiving the donation of 60 computers and 30 teachers trained by NNPC, Chevron and Lukoil at GYB Model Science Secondary School Adankolo, Lokoja.
The Commissioner said as part of the Education Intervention Program Kogi State 2023, the State Government has also declared free Education at Public Primary and Secondary Schools in the State beginning from the next academic session.
According to Hon. Jones, the free Education policy of the state government include payment of examination fee for pupils sitting for the first school leaving school certificate, Junior WAEC examination, SSCE, NECO and JAMB examination, expressed appreciation that Public Schools are now in a better position and competing favourably with Private Schools in the State.
Hon Jones said the state government under the leadership of Gov Yahaya Bello has since assumption of office made education the topmost priority in its thematic area, with an annual 30% budgetary allocation to the sector.
He added that the gesture to pay examination fees for all public school students from the next session is part of efforts to sustain education as the topmost priority amongst the eight thematic areas of the present administration.
The commissioner explained that the administration of Gov. Bello has matched talk with action through practical demonstration and action, and thanked the donors for keying into the State Schools Adoption and Mentorship Program.
Hon. Jones said the deliberate policy by the present administration in the State is geared towards drastically reducing poverty and out-of-school children, adding that the Kogi State education law enacted by the present administration has criminalized children and parents who do not go or send their children to school.
Remarking, Michelle Pelueger, the Director, Star Ultra Deep Petroleum Limited, a Chevron company, with its co-ventures in Oil Mining License (OML) 140 block Oil and Gas Ltd and Lukoil Limited, said the donation is aimed at assisting in high-grade teaching, learning and empowering students in the State to the challenges of the future.
Similarly, the Chief Upstream investment Officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services, Bala Wunti, said it remains committed to improving the lives of Nigerians through education, said it looks forward to students from Kogi State becoming internationally celebrated professionals.
In a show of gratitude, the Principal, GYB Model Science Secondary Adankolo, Yakubu Godwin who spoke on behalf of the benefitting schools described the gesture as a milestone, said it would complement the unprecedented achievements of Gov. Yahaya Bello in improving learning and teaching.
