Bayelsa Govt commits to education sector devt
* Lauds Obasanjo
From Amos Odeh
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to partner other stakeholders in the provision of quality and functional education in the state.
Governor Diri gave the assurance at the weekend while receiving books donated by the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation in Government House, Yenagoa.
The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, described education as crucial to the development of any society, stressing that the present administration would do everything within its reach to promote it in the state.
A press release by the Deputy Governor’s media aide, Mr Doubara Atasi, conveys the state government’s appreciation to the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation for the donation of the books, noting that it will go a long way in assisting the state make more progress in the education sector.
Governor Diri, who underscored the former President’s love for the state, pointed out that Bayelsa would not have had the opportunity to produce the first minority President in the country in person of Dr Goodluck Jonathan without the contributions of Chief Obasanjo.
Expressing preparedness for partnerships, he said the state is ready to work with the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation and other development partners to enhance growth in education and other sectors of the state’s economy such as agriculture and health.
His words, “As a state, we will ever remain eternally grateful to Baba (Chief Olusegun Obasanjo) for his contributions to the development of our state and his passion to make the society a better place for humanity.
“Baba is a father of this state and we hold him in high esteem and regard. For us, apart from late General Sani Abacha, the next Nigerian leader Bayelsans owe gratitude to, is Chief Obasanjo.
“One of the veritable ways to learn is through books.So, the availability of books means a lot in education. Therefore, this donation today to our state is highly appreciated.
“We believe that what he has done is to add more to the pool of knowledge in our state. The more our people are educated, the more they are informed and the better our society”.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, Dr. Olalekan Makinde, had said they were in the state to donate books as a way of contributing to the advancement of education in the state.
He explained that educational development is a priority to the Obasanjo Foundation, which also pays attention to health, youth development and agriculture.
Dr. Makinde, who took time off to visit some schools in the state, commended the state government for its strides in the education sector and pledged more partnerships with Bayelsa in the future.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Honourable Gentle Emelah, disclosed that the state government received over seventy thousand copies of different kinds of books from the Foundation.
Hon Emelah who called on other organizations to emulate the Obasanjo Foundation, thanked the group for the donation and assured them of judicious use of the learning materials.
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