My Commitment Is To Reposition The Education Sector – Siminalayi Fubara

● Says the aim is to equip school-aged children with requisite skills that will make them competitive, innovative and self-reliant

By Jonas Happy

 

The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has restated the commitment of his administration towards the evolution of an educational system that would guarantee the upbringing of young Rivers people of the future who will be more independent -minded, creative and innovative.

The Governor gave the undertaking while swearing in chairmen and members of the Governing Councils of state owned tertiary institutions at Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

Fubara who took to his social media handle on X, formerly Twitter, and his wall on FB (Facebook) to  speak directly to netizens and others who use such platforms about his dreams for the Rivers child.

“In line with my commitment to reposition the education sector for quality manpower development to fast track sustainable growth, and create impactful and progressive society, I, today (yesterday) inaugurated the Governing Councils of three tertiary education institutions in the State.

“These include: Rivers State University, with Justice Mary Odili (JSC) (rtd) as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman; Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, with Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, MON, as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman; and Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, with Dr Robinson Ewoh as Chairman”, Fubara remarked.

 

“I restated my Administration’s resolve”  He further stated, “to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning can be institutionalised.

“In achieving this, I directed the Councils to ensure their actions are driven by the urgency to equip school-aged children with requisite skills and knowledge to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.”

He reminded the members of the Governing Councils of the need to do their utmost to ensure Government’s policy direction is properly understood.

“There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.

“But I also made it clear that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channelled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.

“I promised to leave a legacy of education system that is creative. Education that gives our children some level of independence.”

The Rivers Governor charged the appoin-tees to actualise the purpose of his govern-ment’s educat-ion policy, which is to bring academic programmes “to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs, and employ others.”

He equally directed the recommencement of the recruitment exercise that was cancelled last year at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education.

Fubara said the emphasis  should be “on engaging qualified candidates to bridge existing gap in the academic staff portfolio.”

He pledged the Government’s readiness to transform the infrastructure landscape of the three institutions.