Governor Bindow Flags-off Distribution of Educational Materials to Seven Ravaged LGAs in Adamawa State.
In his efforts to provide quality education and conducive atmosphere for learning, the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Senator Mohammed Umar Jibrilla, has kick- started the distribution of educational materials to the seven local government areas affected by the activities of Book Haram in the state. The flagged-off ceremony took place at the State Education Resource Centre in Yola the state capital.
While delivery his speech, Senator Jibrilla said he was over excited and overwhelmed to witnessed the today’s historic occasion. Stating that before he came in to power, the educational sector of the state was totally neglected, hence the need for its reforms. Subsequently, he bolstered that it was what prompted him to declared emergency on the sector.
Governor Bindow noted that since he took over the mantle of leadership in the state, much has been achieved in the area of educational such as of renovation, construction of new class rooms and many other things that will help in developing of the sector.
Hence, he prayed that by the grace of God, if given the second chance, he will continue to give more priority to education, health, water and many projects that will have direct bearing to the lives of the people of the state.
While thanking all the development partners for their support, Governor Jibrilla cautioned the people of the state on the need to live in peace with each other. Stating that the business of Adamawa state is beyond anyone business, so should unite and live in harmony with one another in order to move the state forward.
Earlier in his welcome addressed, the Honourable Commissioner of Education, Hon. Julius Kadalla, welcomed the Governor and other dignitaries to the event.
Hon. Kadalla said Adamawa State Education Program Investment Project- Addition Financing is a program designed by the state government in collaboration with the Federal Government and World Bank with the purpose of improving the educational system of the state.
Thus, he said what they are doing today is the flagged- off distribution of educational materials to the seven local government areas affected by the insurgent Book Haram in the state.
Commenting on their achievements so far, the Honourable Commissioner stated that Adamawa state has a total numbers of Nine thousand three hundred and ninety five (9395), primary and junior secondary schools teachers in the seven affected LGAs. However, he said out of these numbers, they have trained Six thousand three hundred and thirty five (6335) teachers and are currently receiving nine thousand Naira incentive apart from their normal monthly salaries, with the aim to boost their morale in discharge of their duties.
Furthermore, he noted that they have six hundred schools in the seven local government areas that were affected by the insurgents and have trained their Executive of SBMCs (I.e School Based Management Committee’s) and are been given five hundred thousand to either renovate or carry out any developmental project for enhancement of the educational sector of the state.
Hon. Kadalla thereafter, took his time to give the breakdown of the total numbers of schools that will benefit with the materials as follows: two hundred and twenty (220) Junior Secondary Schools is to be benefit with books. While eighty four (84) primary schools are to benefit with the books.
Others are: twenty two primary schools are to benefit with desks and chairs with each of them getting twenty one number of three students per desk and a chair. While thirty nine junior secondary schools will get desks and chairs in the affected areas etc.
Hon. Kadalla made a passionate appealed to the Governor to help and renovate the remaining administrative block in the resource centre in order to cushion the menace of inadequate offices in the area. He equally made an appealed to the World Band and other developmental partners to extend the training of teachers to the remaining fourteen local government areas of the state.
In their separate remarks, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Mr. Rodney S. Nathan and the State Chairman Universal Basic Education, Mallam Hassan Umar Toungo, both thanked and commended Senator Jibrilla for his unflinching effort in alleviating the plight of teachers in the state. Maintaining that Governor Bindow if given the second chance will address the shambles situation of educational system of the state.
Highlight of the event was the official presentation of the materials to some beneficiary schools which comprises furnoturescsuch as chairs, tables, desks and books.