NIEPA KICK START A 5DAYS TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR 292 HEAD TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS/ 55 SUBEB LGA OFFICERS IN YENAGOA

SAINT MIENPAMO (REPORTS)

AN ADDRESS BY THE DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION (NIEPA), NIGERIA, ONDO, ONDO STATE, DR. PETER KOLAWOLE OJEDELE ON THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WORKSHOP ON RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN BASIC SCHOOL MANAGEMENT FOR HEADTEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS OF PRIMARY AND JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL SUPERVISION, MONITORING AND EVALUATION FOR SUBEB AND LGA OFFICIALS HELD AT EMMANUEL PLACE, YENAGOA ON MONDAY 3^RD SEPTEMBER, 2012

PROTOCOL

The Nigerian Educational system is in a state of confusion and disarray as a result of inconsistencies, non-implementation of educational policies, corruption and corrupt practices perpetrated by the stakeholders. There has been a clarion call by all and sundry to re-examine and appraise the Nigerian Educational system in line with current trends.

In view of these challenges, Nigeria has attempted to reform their basic management and school supervision services to improve educational quality. This desire for reform is inspired by disappointment with the effectiveness of school management and supervision and by the recent trend towards more school autonomy. Indeed, the ability of schools to use their greater freedom effectively will depend to a large extent on the support services on which they can rely, while supervision may be needed to guide them in their decision-making and to monitor their use of resources.

There has been a paradigm shift in recent times. The Federal and State Ministries of Education have strengthened the inspectorate to make it functional. The focus is now on whole school evaluation. The earliest form of supervision was described as inspection. In the past, it was a common practice that once an educator becomes a supervisor or director of instruction he was referred to as inspector. The impression people have about supervision during this time was that the supervisor was responsible for making judgment about the teacher and not helping the teacher on how to teach in order to make the students learn well.

The supervisor’s recommendation to replace a teacher was carried out immediately. The reports of such visits were used to determine the teachers’ promotion or retention. There was no effort to improve the teachers’ knowledge or the teaching. Supervision was introduced to improve the quality of teaching and learning.

Supervision is tailored towards ensuring that the teacher follows the general guidelines as provided in the curriculum. There are follow-up activities that should be directed at the improvement of identified areas of teacher’s weakness. Supervision helps the teachers in terms of self discovery particularly in the area of improvisation and the use of modern teaching aids as a basis for improving teaching strategies; supervisors help to introduce teachers to a variety of audio and visual materials that help to facilitates good teaching.

In either case, supervision is necessary to find out the extent to which the objectives are met, assist workers by the efficiency with which any school organization can operate which depends largely upon its leadership and supervision practices in the school. This scenario demands that inspectors must have a good knowledge of modern supervision skills especially in matter relating to: effective supervision, quality assurance, community participation in quality assurance and organizing resources to support the achievement of goals and objectives of secondary education.

Furthermore, in order to make teaching and learning effective in our schools, managers of the school system should be made to take responsibility for their actions. Because teaching is a profession, schools are held accountable for its performance. It is in the light of these that head teachers and principals under Bayelsa State Universal Education Board will be facilitated on the rudiment of responsibility and accountability in school management. This is with a view of making the management of schools in the system to be more functional and more relevant to the learners.

NIEPA as an Institute that specializes in capacity building through training and re-training is organizing a five-day intensive workshop in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Universal Basic Education Board to Address the issues identified above in order to give the officials of SUBEB and LGEA the right focus and training that will inject modern supervision skills which will make them more effective and efficient in the discharge of their duties. The workshop themes are therefore,

1.   School Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation and

2.   Responsibility and Accountability in School Management

The Institute unique participatory mode of training will be injected into the programme; with this, the three components for effective behavioral change namely: knowledge acquisition, skill acquisition and attitudinal change are put in place as the participants will be working and shopping all through.

I wish to appreciate the effort of the office of the Executive Chairman of Bayelsa SUBEB, for The confidence reposed in us to capacitate the education managers and inspectors in the State. We will not disappoint you.

Thank you.

Dr. Peter Kolawole Ojedele

Director/CEO 

FREE EYE TEST IN THE VENUE FROM OLY BRIGHT MISSIONARY OPTICAL SERVICES, YOU CAN CONTACT HIM AT NO35 OFF IMGBI ROAD OPP 500 BED HOSPITAL AMARATA YENAGOA (07038956244)

EXIT OKADA, ENTER RESTORATION CABS

Exit Okada, Enter Restoration Cabs
By:Robinson Erebi
There is a sudden calm and refreshing coolness on the roads and streets of Yenagoa capital of Bayelsa State. A breathe of fresh air since the exit of commercial motor-cycles popularly known as “Okada” on 1st September, 2012 following the government ban on motor-cycles as a means of transportation in Yenagoa. For many Bayelsans the ban had been long overdue in view of the road hazards caused buy “Okada” drivers in the Metropolis. They see the government’s move is a welcome development. The only problem they say is the dearth of adequate roads within the capital city. Some people are also cynical as they observe that only a handful of the government taxis are seen on the road on the first day of the commencement of the new transport policy in Bayelsa State.

There is no doubt that the Henry Seriake Dickson administration means to do what they say as the “Okada” which he promised as has taken effect in Bayelsa State with the successful launching of 200 Restoration Cabs and 150 Tri-cycles by the Governor in Yenagoa on Friday, 31st August, 2012 as part of his transport policy for the development of a new Bayelsa State.

Before the launching of the Restoration Cabs, Governor Dickson who had earlier on the same day, won a law suit brought against him by the Governorship candidate of the Acton Congress of Nigeria at the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, used the occasion to dedicate his victory to Bayelsans and expressed gratitude to God for the good things that have continued to happen to the State, particularly his victory at the Court of Appeal. Hear him: “Let me thank you all and appreciate your support, your solidarity and your resilience and above all, also for your belief in the endless possibilities of our new Bayelsa. Let me also say, before I come specifically on this transport policy, that our policy of accommodation of various political views, of various political players has not changed. And I want to use this opportunity to call on all Bayelsans to work with us, to move our great state forward. Today’s victory belongs to you all. It doesn’t belong to me and my deputy governor or party. It belongs to all of us. So I congratulate you all for what has happened”.
Speaking on the new transport system in the state, Governor Dickson said that the Restoration Cabs as we have all seen, are quite comfortable and safe for our people, promising that he would bequeath a transportation system that is second to none; and that the aspiration of this administration “is to turn this place to another London, because very soon people would be trooping here on tourism, on investment or even to live here. While we are investing in security to make Yenagoa and our state safe, while we are investing on infrastructure to deliver world class infrastructure, we also must provide world class transportation system. And this is why your government is very serious about having an airport and very soon work will commence even on that to open up the state in collaboration with the federal authorities and that is why we are working very hard even to up and have a deep sea port”.
The Governor said further that the ban on Okada is an act of the law itself because the House of Assembly passed a bill which he also signed into law. He therefore cautioned the beneficiaries, saying that “these vehicles are not intended to be private vehicles for your use as “big men”, the newest big men in the state. You are not to sit down at the back and relax to be chauffeur driven in these vehicles. You are not to pack them in your houses. You are to actually put them to use with effect from today. And while these vehicles are handed over to you we expect to see them plying the streets and all the roads of Yenagoa. That will be your contribution to our economy”.

The Executive Governor also charged Drivers of the Restorations Cabs to be worthy ambassadors of the state. He emphasized that “a lot of tourists would come in, people who are streaming into Yenagoa to do business. To relax and enjoy their lives, that is what we want to see in Bayelsa. So I enjoin you all to ply your trade with decorum and in a cheerful way and try to be as professional as possible. For most of you, you’re going to be the first point of contact with those who are visiting our dear state. Even before they see me or they see other officers of government, people visit here are going to see you, meet you and interact with you. So you are expected to be our public relations agents of the new Bayelsa. It’s what you show to them that they will think that we are. And you know that we are good people, we are hospitable people, we are honest and hard working, cheerful people. We mind our business. So I like to enjoin you all to exhibit these traits as you carry on with your job”.
Governor Henry Seriake Dickson commended the Commissioner for Transport and the General Manager of Bayelsa Transport Corporation for bringing this scheme to fruition and dedicated the vehicles as well as others that will come as part of the Restoration transport policy, for the use of humanity, service of our good people and to the glory of God Almighty in Jesus name.
Earlier in her address at the occasion, for the launching of the Restoration, the Commissioner for Transport, Mrs. Marie Ebikake said that the launching of Restoration Cabs in Yenagoa today is in fulfillment of what His Excellency, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson promised the good people of the state. According to her, only two months ago, the Governor, seeing the sufferings of the people on using motor-cycle “Okada” as a means of transportation, including motorcycle aided robberies and accidents and other inconveniences in Yenagoa city, announced the banning of the use of Okada and replacing same with a more suitable, efficient, safe and affordable means of transportation in line with national and global best practices. Incidentally, the ban expired on 31st July, 2012, there was an outcry for extension of time, and as a listening Governor the ban was extended by one month, that is, 31st August, 2012.

Mrs. Ebikake disclosed that her Ministry has procured about 150 tri-wheel vehicles and 200 hundred comfortable and roomy vehicles to run transportation in the state, stressing that henceforth, “the avoidable accidents leading to breaking of body parts and sometimes, death will be forgotten.. No more cycle-aided robberies. Commuters can also move freely in terms of heavy rain and sunshine. They will travel far and near conveniently like kings”..

Mrs. Ebikake also said that the vision of His Excellency the Governor is not limited to the provision of the above only. And that the government is negotiating with reputable motor companies for the purchase of buses that will be launched to our roads in order that transport fares will also be brought down to the barest minimum. She emphasized that these efforts are meant for the people to enjoy dividends of good governance, And that the vehicles have been allocated to carefully selected drivers who have been trained on the Ministry’s guidelines and whose identities are guaranteed by credible politicians, civil servants and first class traditional rulers.. This is to ensure that the vehicles are not taken away and converted to personal use.

As residents of Yenagoa get acclimatized to the new transport system, it is expected that the government will take steps to ensure commuters are not exploited by taxi drivers through unregulated hick in transport fares. The government should not only ensure that contractors handing road constructions projects are adequately monitored to complete them in record time, but also ensure that new roads are constructed within the metropolis in accordance with the Capital Development Master Plan to ensure smooth movement of traffic and commuters within the city.

Governor Dickson is working hard and it my hope that the good of Bayelsa State will co-operate with the administration in all endeavours to make his vision of a new Bayelsa a reality as His Excellency as dedicated it to the glory of God.

South-East Leaders Endorse Jonathan for Second Term

South-East Leaders Endorse Jonathan for Second Term

Friday, 31 August 2012 04:27

President Goodluck Jonathan has been urged to seek another four year tenure in 2015 with an assurance of support from the south-east zone.
The president who was on a one-day visit to Anambra State yesterday was assured by the state governor Mr. Peter Obi that if he decides to go for another tenure to complete his work, he will get the backing of the people of the state.
Governor Peter Obi assured Jonathan that he is very much loved by the people of the state, and that they do not regret voting for him.
Businessman,

Arthur Eze also said that since it is constitutional for presidents to take two tenures of four years each, Jonathan should not shortchange himself or disappoint his supporters by refusing to go for another tenure: "Obasanjo took eight years; we are calling on you to take another four years as one term is too short for you to finish the job you have at hand. You can consider giving power to the north after your eight years, so that they will return it to the south-east after their own eight years," Eze stated.
Jonathan in his remarks described the south-east as where he has the most popularity even though his posters were torn and some of his campaign offices burnt during the 2011 presidential campaigns. "The only time a youth was caught tearing my poster, it turned out that he was removing it to paste in his house. I feel like I am in my home any time I am in the south-east, particularly in Onitsha. I can walk around without security," he said.
He pointedly referred to the people of the south-east as "my people", saying that he even instructed his security men "not to push anybody today because they are all my people".
In yet another twist to the resignation of Prof. Barth Nnaji from the federal cabinet, the president declared that the minister did no wrong. "Let me use this opportunity to say that Professor Nnaji did not do anything wrong," the president told his audience at a town hall meeting in Onitsha he addressed on arrival for a one-day official visit to Anambra State.
The former minster "decided to step aside", he said, indicating that it was a voluntary resignation rather than a sack. "He did not commit any offence", he restated.
According to the president, "It is just that integrity is our watchword and when people came to say this or that, he decided to step aside."
He said Nnaji's departure would not affect his administration's commitment to power sector transformation as the search was already on "for another very qualified person to man that office" but he could not assure the south-east of producing Nnaji's replacement.
Source- LEADERSHIP

Cultism: Bayelsa police to raid hotels

September 2, 2012 by abeke kokobaiye

The police in Bayelsa State have concluded plans to clamp down on hotels harbouring suspected cultists in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Kingsley Omire, told our correspondent in Yenagoa that cult groups and their members were fond of lodging and holding their meetings in hotels.

He said the police would shut down hotels used by cultists as their hiding places.

He said special operatives had been dispatched to various locations in the state to monitor hotels and the kind of people who patronised them.

According to him, a list of the cult groups and their members had been handed over to the police for arrest and prosecution.

“This action became imperative following the enactment of the anti-cult law by the state government. Some suspected cultists have been arrested and would soon be paraded,” he said.

Omire warned that members of vigilance groups linked to cultism would also be arrested.

He advised cult members to renounce membership of their secret associations to benefit from the rehabilitation programme of the state government.

“Provisions have been made for the rehabilitation of the cultists who renounce their membership. Some arrested cult members would soon appear in court. Members of the public should visit the office of the Police Public Relations Officer in the state to know the names of the cult groups prohibited by the state government,” he explained.

He added that the prohibition of motorcycles in Yenagoa, the state capital territory took effect last Saturday and that riding of motorcycles in Amassoma, host community to the Niger Delta University had been banned.

He said any motorcycle found within the capital territory would be impounded and auctioned.

He said the police had cleared a place where impounded motorcycles would be kept, adding that the defaulters would be arrested and prosecuted.

DICKSON FLOORS KUBOR-COURT OF APPEAL RULING

PRESS STATEMENT
COURT OF APPEAL RULING IN PORT HARCOURT UPHOLDING THE ELECTORAL VICTORY OF HON. HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON
Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, wish to commend the five (5) Justices of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt for their unanimous judgment striking out the petition brought before it by Change Advocacy Party (CAP) on grounds that it lacked merit
The ruling of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt today, which upheld the February 14 electoral victory of Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson as the duly elected Governor of Bayelsa State, represents a clear victory for democracy and triumph of the rule of law.
Governor Dickson wishes to seize this opportunity to call on all candidates of the various political parties who contested the election with him to join hands with his government to bring restoration to our dear state.

There is so much at stake, our state is far behind in the developmental index and we cannot afford to continue to play politics with our development.
The restoration train is well on track and there is enough room to accommodate anyone who is desirous in joining our administration in our urgent quest to rapidly bring development to our dear state.
This administration is working very hard to develop and improve on all major infrastructures in the state in line with our restoration agenda.
We urge all political parties and call on all Bayelsans to join the restoration train of our government as we embark on a steady march to restore the lost glory of our dear state.
Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State.

Bayelsa injects taxis to replace motorcycles-RESTORATION CITY CABS

Bayelsa state government has injected 300 ‘ restoration city cabs’ to replace motor cycles as a means of transportation in the capital of Yenagoa.
Gov. Seriake Dickson who unveiled the taxis, 100 of which are tricycles, at the official commissioning said, “What you are seeing here today, as good as it is, is just the beginning. We want a transportation system that is second to none. Our aspiration is to turn the state into another London that will be haven to tourists and investors from all over the world.’’
The governor said that when he announced the ban on commercial motorcycle transport, popularly known as ‘Okada’, many of his critics said that the previous administration did same and did not solve the transport problem in the state.
He said, “I have been on the saddle for just six months now, and I expected that the people should know the difference. The difference is that when we say something, we mean it and we do it.”
Dickson called on the beneficiaries of the cab, who he urged to be good ambassadors of the state, to ensure maximum use of the cabs.
He warned that he would withdraw the cabs from any of them found to have converted it into personal use.
“This is a test scheme, so make good use of it so that we would not be discouraged. You are not to pack it in your homes as a private car, but rather put them to maximum use for the benefit of our people”, the governor said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Transport, Mrs Marie Ebikake, lauded the vision of Dickson in initiating the new transport scheme to replace the operation of commercial motorcycles.
She said, “Our governor had seen the sufferings of the people in using `okada’, with daily incidence of accidents, including motorcycle aided robberies and other transport inconveniences that is common in our state capital.”
The commissioner said that the initial ban on okada transport expired on July 31, but that the state government decided to extend it by a month following the public outcry, which compelled the governor to extend it to Aug. 31.
“From today, the avoidable accidents of Okada that had led to many deaths and disability among our people will be a thing of the past.
“No more motorcycle-aided robbery and people can now move freely both in the rain and sunshine,” Ebikake said.
The commissioner said that the first batch of the scheme witnessed the procurement of 100 tricycles and 200 mini-saloon cars, which she described as comfortable and roomy” vehicles to run transportation in the state.
The commissioner said that the vision of Dickson was not limited to the purchase of the taxi cabs alone.
She said that the state government was negotiating with a reputable motor company for the purchase of buses to support the scheme in order to reduce the cost of transportation in the state

NEW TRANSPORT SCHEME LAUNCHED IN BAYELSA STATE

GOVERNOR HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON, PAYING HIS TRANSPORT FARE TO THE RESTORATION CAB DRIVER AND THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY OF THE RESTORATION CABS IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE YENAGOA

 

 NEW TRANSPORT SCHEME LAUNCHED IN BAYELSA STATE
 The new Bayelsa State transport scheme, tagged, “Restoration Cab” has been launched by Governor Seriake Dickson.
The launch of the scheme came on the heels of the ban on commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada in the state capital, Yenagoa.
 Speaking at the launch of the taxi cabs and tri-wheel vehicles, Governor Dickson said the vehicles were procured for the initial take off of the scheme. The Governor noted that just as his administration was working hard to develop the basic infrastructure of the state, it was imperative to provide world class transport system alongside the proposed deep sea ports and airports.
The state Chief Executive who described the new transport system as a pilot scheme, disclosed that government spent over 600 million naira including insurance and warned beneficiaries not to convert the vehicles for private use.
According to Governor Dickson, the cabs are intended to serve as a source of empowerment for the people as well as expand the economy of the state. He announced that buses would soon be procured to add to the fleet of the scheme, and remarked that in the course of expanding the major roads, provision for bus stops would be made. He urged beneficiaries of the scheme to be worthy ambassadors of the state as they are likely to be the first point of contact for visitors to the state as well as assist in the maintenance of security by alerting the security agents on any suspicious movements.
The Governor also appealed to commuters to exercise some patience considering the fact that they may experience some inconvenience as the new transport system comes on board, noting that the development was in their own interest.
In her address, the commissioner for Transport, Mrs. Marie Ebikake, explained that government has procured 100 tri-wheel vehicles and 200 air-conditioned vehicles for the first phase of the scheme. Mrs. Ebikake noted that the taxi cabs have been allocated to well trained drivers in line with the guidelines of the ministry whose identities were guaranteed by credible politicians, civil servants and traditional rulers. She said government was negotiating with reputable companies for the purchase of buses to further ease road transportation in the state.
   Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

GOVERNOR HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON, PAYING HIS TRANSPORT FARE TO THE RESTORATION CAB DRIVER AND THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY OF THE RESTORATION CABS IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE YENAGOA

OFICIALS OF THE BAYELSA NEW MEDIA TEAM WITH THE SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE GOVERNOR ON RESEARCH AND SOCIAL MEDIA, BAYELSA STATE

 

‘The N5000 note an honour to women’

Presidential aide says the image of three women on the highest currency shows Goodluck Jonathan’s good side

Article | August 25, 2012 - 7:45am | By Emsaro Pedro

The Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Joy Emodi, said on Friday that the image of three Nigerian women on the newly approved N5,000 note was an honour for women.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had announced on Thursday that it has gotten presidential approval to introduce N5,000 notes bearing the pictures of late human rights activists - Funmilayo Kuti, Margaret Ekpo and Gambo Sawaba.
Emodi said it was a confirmation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s belief that women had positive contributions to offer to the country.
“The move is historic for Nigerian women, as it marks the first time any government will bestow them with this magnitude of recognition and respect,” she said. “The remembrance of these great women, long after their death, shows that our roles in times of national challenge will eventually fish us out as heroes or villains.”
Emodi also added that the representation of the National Assembly on the new currency was a demonstration of the president’s recognition of the parliament as the symbol of the nation’s democracy.
She, therefore, urged Nigerians to cooperate with the government in its effort to sustain the nation’s democracy for sustainable development. “I call on Nigerians, especially our women, to continue to support President Jonathan’s administration since Mr President has proved beyond reasonable doubt, he is a man they can trust.”

WHY NDDC SHOULD EXTEND THE ROAD TO AGRISABA; IKENSI

In the Old Brass Local Government Council when Mr. Okoloba was Chairman, The Directorate of Roads and Rural Infrastructure headed by Air Vice Marshall Larry Koinyan was at the point of grading a road to Opume --- Okoroba, ith Branches to Agrisaba and Ikensi. It was supposed to be a ring road. The Road was later abandoned.
Now, the Niger Delta Development Commission has extended the road to Okoroba Community in Nembe Local Government of Bayelsa, cutting off Agrisaba and Ikensi. There is actually no logic that can justify this because:
1. It is distorts the original plan of the road
2. Agrisaba is the headquarters of the Mini-Ikensi LGA created during the DSP Alamieyeseigha administration.
3. Agrisaba in particular is the most prolific community in oil production in the area with the presence of AGIP and SPDC.
4. Agrisaba has more wards and more voting strength than any other Community in the area.
We tried to get the Community Leaders of Agrisaba and Ikensi to discuss the matter on phone and their response was an appeal that the NDDC should extend the road to those Communities in order not to distort the original plan of the Road. Mor importantly, the distance between Okoroba and these other Communities is very short. There is therefore no reason why the same road will not be extended to them.
Meanwhile, an opinion leader of the AGRISABA community criticized the NDDC for not doing enough for the oil producing Communities in the area. He called the attention of the Federal Government; especially the Minister of Works to ensure the Road connects AGRISABA and Ikensi. You do not construct a road to only Okoroba because an SA TO THE PRESIDENT COMES FROM THERE. THE OTHER COMMUNITIES CONTRIBUTE MORE TO THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF THE NATION, THE LEADER REMARKED!

(BNMT) SPECIAL ANNOUCEMENT

BAYELSA NEW MEDIA TEAM: SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

As part of the efforts to encourage the youths of Bayelsa State to be engaged in the discussion and objective analysis of government policies and programmes, the following persons shall be presented with mobile phones. They are include:

1)     MS.    BLESSING OYANIMIGHA

2)     MR.     ANDREW EHIGIATOR

3)     COMRADE     ROBINSON EREBI

4)     MR.     ERIC JOHNNY

5)     MR.     AKPOS AKOWEI

6)     MRS.   ANITA GODSPOWER

7)     MS.     BECKY BINAEBI OVURU

8)     MR.     DAVE ASEI

9)     MR.     GODDEY ENI ORIO

10)  MRS.  KARINA MATTHEW

The exercise will continue until a huge segment of the active and articulate social media community benefit from the magnanimity of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson.

THE ABOVE NAMED PERSONS SHOULD CONTACT THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATION (Saint Mienpamo Onitsha) either in person or by proxy to ascertain when the presentation will take place.  

God bless Bayelsa State

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN’S INTERACTIVE SESSION WITH BENEFICIARIES OF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

 

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN’S INTERACTIVE SESSION WITH BENEFICIARIES OF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

by admin on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at 11:37am ·

On the 21st of August, 2012, Yenagoa – Capital of Bayelsa State played host to Mr. President Goodluck Jonathan, GCON, GCFR. On that day, more than 100 students who had graduated from some topflight Secondary Schools gathered to have an interactive session with President Jonathan.
When Mr. President was Governor of Bayelsa State, he initiated a Special Educational Scheme christened BAYELSA MERIT SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME in September 2006. The Scheme was designed to encourage children of Bayelsa State Origin who are gifted, to acquire the best possible quality of secondary education in topflight schools across the Country.
The scheme suffered tremendous setbacks during the past four years for lack of government attention, but the Dickson administration has rekindled hope and resuscitated the momentum.  Now the scope has been expanded to cover ONDO, EDO, DELTA, AKWA-IBOM States.  The scholarship was an off-shoot of the School Of Gifted Children built at Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government of Bayelsa State.  The ratio of beneficiaries is 75% for Bayelsa State and 25% for others.
As an expression of government’s seriousness in human capacity building, the Dickson Administration has re-named it BAYELSA STATE GIFTED CHILDREN RESTORATION EDUCATIONAL SCHEME.  Over 100 students have graduated from the various schools and another batch of 200 students will be dispatched on scholarship to the various schools in Nigeria.  
In line with the aggressive human capacity building programme, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has already made government’s intentions known that the TEACHER TRAINING INSTITUTE will take off in September at Okordia Zarama- Bayelsa State. The Bayelsa State College of Arts and Science has been re-established. Other Tertiary institutions have been well funded.
The recipients relieved their experiences. Timipre Shauaibu, Michael Chidinma and Daniel Koroye narrated how they suffered discrimination because of the perception that they were coming from Bayelsa State. According to him, they faced even greater difficulties when they had to learn foreign languages such as French, Yoruba and Turkish. They were however resolute so they came tops in their classes. Other challenges they confronted were dressing code, morality, exhibition of vocational skills and sports.
Collectively, the recipients expressed gratitude to His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, for helping to build a generation of intellectually sound people to provide leadership for Nigeria. Recipients also thanked His Excellency, Hon. Seriake Dickson - Governor of Bayelsa State for running with the vision of providing quality education for Bayelsa Children.
It will be recalled that on the 14th of February, during his inaugural address, Governor Henry Seriake Dickson declared a state of emergency on education. Since then, government has matched words with action. Very critical steps have been taken to show government’s resolve to fulfill the restoration promise of leveraging on human capital for the development of the State. With the present momentum, Bayelsa State is well on her way to join the enviable league of educationally advanced State in Nigeria***
Copyright: Bayelsa New Media Team August, 2012