Laying The Foundation For An Enduring Legacy
BEING A SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, DR. ABDULLAHI ADAMU, SARKIN YAKI KEFFI, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF NASARAWA STATE ON THE OCASSION OF THE FINALS OF MOHAMMED OGOSHI ONAWO SCHOOLS DEBATE COMPETITION ON 15TH JUNE, 2004.
We feel a sense of fulfilment over the ceremony we are here to conduct today. It marks the commencement of individual and private sector contribution to the pursuit of education in the state. This is an ideal we have sought to impress on our people over the years. We know from hindsight that government cannot fund all aspects of education and so we have sought to encourage individuals to endow part of their personal resources in the pursuit of educational excellence.
I would therefore like to use this occasion to commend the vision and foresight of the Honourable speaker in laying the foundation for an enduring legacy for the people of Nasarawa state. By instituting this competition, the Honourable Speaker is laying building blocks that will solidify the lives of many of our youth, now and in the future. I therefore urge the Honourable Speaker to ensure that this competition becomes a permanent feature in the educational calendar of Nasarawa state.
Our administration has continued to emphasise the value of education in our development efforts. We do know that education is a crucial component in the reform and restructuring programme which our government has set as a task. We are convinced that with a well-educated citizenry, our programme of building a state of strong socio-economic and political foundations will be eased.
It is in realization of this value that we have taken it open ourselves to re-invigorate and refurbish our educational institutions. Beginning from the primary to the tertiary level, we have
and like to recall without any fear of contradiction that before the advent of this democratic dispensation, Nasarawa State public schools were in dilapidated condition, classrooms lacked windows, doors and seats. Staff quarters were profusely leaking with the ceilings falling and the wall paint peeling off. Teachers were disenchanted due to poor accommodation and renumeration.
The Government, therefore, went straight into action even exceeding the 26% UNESCO recommendation of states annual budget to rehabilitate schools and motivate teachers. This deliberate action was to create a conducive environment for learning for both our students and teachers for learning to take place. It is also to increase the number of students qualified for university admission. I am glad to inform you today that a reasonable percentage of our students are qualified for university entry yearly.
Looking at the foregoing, there is still room for further development. Whether we like it or not, English is our official lingua franca in Nigeria and the confidence to effectively use it, is a social, political and economic weapon. Any medium of communication amongst the teeming youth is a recognisable effort. At this juncture, therefore, the Honourable Speaker of the House, who has taken it upon himself to sponsor a thought provoking programme such as schools Debate and Essay competition amongst the youth needs to be highly commended.
This should pose as a challenge to well – placed citizens of this state in whatever area of calling or economic attainment to come and invest in the education of our children. It is of a truth that many students cannot pay their schools fees at federal Government Schools besides tertiary institutions. Capable Nasarawa State citizen should emulate the noble gesture of the Honourable Speaker by offering scholarships to indigent students from their respective wards and constituencies.
I would want our schools to avail themselves of this rare opportunity to greatness by fully participating in this laudable programme. Many have become conspicuous in the society through such effort with the Speaker being one of them. Be it known here that individual contributions to educational development will surely be recognised by this Government.
Proficiency in English Language is sine quo non to the foundation of every academic career. All our courses use English as the medium of communication. The language is necessary to convey questions, opinions, observations and even disagreements with ease. The ability to do this alone is an achievement. The effort to establish schools debate is aimed at creating friendliness amongst students and to learn to present their opinions logically tolerating others’ views.
The Honourable Speaker, I would like to appeal to your colleagues in the House to look within their constituencies and borrow a leaf from your generosity in contributing to education.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am highly delighted that at last an individual has seen the vision of contributing to the up-liftment of educational standard. May the Almighty Allah reward the sterling initiative of the Honourable Speaker. Amen
Thank you.
|
