BY PRINCE VICTOR EFEIZOMOR
WHEN I hear some persons out there, particularly some of those in opposition criticize the Gov Sheriff Oborevwori, and telling those who care to listen that the Governor is not working, I wonder what they mean by that, and what they intend to gain by the lies they go about telling.
I say this because, nobody with a conscience would come to Delta State and see the good works of Gov Sheriff Oborevwori and look away. I dare to say The Governor is a silent achiever; he is working.
His good works/achievements cut across different sectors of the State- Agriculture, Health, Education Transportation, Human Capital Development, and many more. But in this piece, I’m going to focus on some of his good works in the education sub-sector of the State.
Permit me to say this from the beginning. Gov Oborevwori’s achievements in the education sector, have defined his love and desire to transform that sector of the state’s economy and encourage many Deltans and non- Deltans, resident in the State to embrace education.
From the onset, Gov Oborevwori, in his M.O.R.E Agenda spelt out his vision to improve the education sector and make education more accessible and attractive to all.
For instance, in his effort to reduce the financial burden on Law Students of Delta State origin, the Governor, last week, approved the year 2022/2023 Financial Assistance for them in the seven Nigerian Law Schools across the country. For those who know the high financial burden of a Law School Student in Nigeria, the Governor’s financial assistance is a huge burden off the shoulders of the students, who are going to enjoy the Governor’s benevolence and in this regard.
The Governor’s approval of financial assistance to the Law School students was preceded by his recent approval of year 2022/2023 bursary award to over 30,000 students of the State’s origin in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
On the Governor’s financial assistance to the Law School students, the Executive Secretary, Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board, Dr. Godfrey Enita said, “it is important to note that, this remarkable approval is in line with His Excellency’s M.O.R.E agenda, which is poised towards advancing the already existing human and infrastructural development of the State.
It would be recalled that, during the 2024 edition of National Children’s Day celebration, Gov Oborevwori said his administration was investing so much in the education sector because, it is key to the upbringing of a child. Apart from providing fit-for-purpose facilities in schools, his administration has also recruited more than 2,000 teachers in primary/secondary schools in the State, adding that, his administration was totally committed to put in its efforts to articulate policies and programmes that would protect the interest of children and prepare them for a brighter future.
In the words of the Governor: “ As a Government, we are well aware of the positive impact of good and quality education on the development of our children. It exposes them to required knowledge, thus, preparing them for a purposeful adult life”.
And to further increase access to education, the Oborevwori administration has expanded the capacity of some tertiary institutions in the State. That of Dennis Osadebay University, Anwai Asaba and University of Delta, Agbor are clear evidence of this. Also, at the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, the Governor has inaugurated the administrative building of the University.
During the inauguration of the University’s administrative building, I recall vividly that Gov Oborevwori said, “My administration is working assiduously to ensure that every child in the State has access to complete and functional education, comparable to what you have in any part of the world”.
Other projects the Governor inaugurated at the University as a show of his commitment to the development of education in the State are: The Vice Chancellor’s lodge, staff school building, University Guest House/Squash Court, and a two kilometer interlock/concrete road. For those who are still in doubt about the Governor’s commitment and the growth and development of education in Delta State, this is a clear investment in the upgrade of educational infrastructure in the state for a conducive learning environment.
As a deliberate effort to improve on the quality of education in the State, it is on good record that, Gov Oborevwori had challenged Universities in the State to engage in research, in order to solve the plethora of challenges confronting the world. To this end, Gov Oborevwori was once quoted as saying: “The goal of this administration is to ensure that every child has access to a complete and functional education. Within the limits of available resources. we shall not relent in the physical appearance of our educational institutions.
“There is also a compelling need to reevaluate and reform the software aspect of our educational system in the State. In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell in your knowledge, the kind of education we offer in the State must be at par with global standards.
In order to meet this standards, Gov Oborevwori, within one year and two months of his administration is committed to ensuring that the State’s educational institutions must continually be innovate to enrich the curricula and the practice of teaching and learning for better outcomes. This is where policy makers, educators, teachers, administrators and consultants come in.
It would be recalled that Gov Oborevwori as a show of his administration’s resolve to up the quality of education in Delta State had emphasized the urgent need for Universities to engage in ground-breaking, cross – disciplinary research to address the complex challenges of an increasingly diverse and technological society. Quoting the Governor, he once said: “For our education to remain meaningful and impactful, it must undertake research that would help the society to develop in real time, provide lasting solutions to the challenges of urban decay, potable water supply, alternative energy sources, public transport network and waste treatment and management”.
It is important to say here that, in appreciation of the Gov Oborevwori’s commitment to enhancing educational development in Delta State, the Vice Chancellor of University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Prof. Jacobs Oboreh was once quoted as saying: “The University of Science and Technology, Ozoro has identified with Gov Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda as a holistic roadmap for the advancement of the State “. He said, higher education was the most important precursor to industrialization and the University’s vision includes: technological innovations, hands-on-skill training and ground breaking research, directed towards socio-economic development.
The University was founded with 44 academic programmes in six Faculties, all duly approved by the National Universities Commission of Nigeria (NUC).
