By Stephen Adeleye.
The Kogi Commissioner for Education, Mr. Wemi Jones, has commended the officers and men of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard, Lokoja, for its intervention in the state’s education sector.
Jones gave the commendation on Friday during the “NNS Lugard Operation Delta Sanity III Educational Rhapsody” program held at LGEA Primary School Banda, Lokoja.
The commissioner commended NNS for the initiative, stressing that the Military was conscious of their environment and did not just restrict themselves to the provisions of security.
He stressed that their support for the educational system through the provisions of Exercise Books and Writing Materials to pupils would go a long way to boost education in Kogi.
According to him, Kogi Education ministry remains committed to the provision of accessible and qualitative education, as successful administrations since 2016 have made Education the primary focus of the thematic agenda.
This, he said was premised on the leadership believe that the best way to fight poverty and insecurity is through Education, noting that an uneducated society breed criminals and bandits.
“Kogi State believes that it is only an educated population that can successfully fight poverty and insecurity.
“The more of uneducated population the more we allowed space for criminal and bandits to take advantage of our system,” he said.
Jones noted that Kogi State in order to groom pupils to compete in Artificial Intelligence (A I) space, had changed the face of secondary education across the State through the introduction of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) philosophy of Education.
The commissioner added that Kogi would focus more on revamping Primary Education system, saying there could be no solid structure without a good foundation.
He enjoined the pupils to focus more on their education as the State has provided an enabling environment for them to excel in every field they want to be.
He added that the state had provided sufficient palliatives in education by ensuring that education from primary to secondary level is free.
In his remarks, the Commander NNS Lugard, Commodore T Senibo. said the Rhapsody program of NNS Lugard was aimed at enhancing educational outcome, promote academic excellence and cultivate learning culture.
He said the NNS Lugard under the auspices of Operation Delta Sanity III and guidance of the Chief of Naval Staff, recognised the pivotal role education played in National security and sustainable development.
Senibo noted that through the non – kinetic line of operations, the military is on a mission to complement the learning environment and support Education of young people.
He stressed that the NNS would also explore how young Nigerians could contribute to nation’s prosperity, security and well-being.
The Commander advised pupils to seize the opportunity provided to learn, grow, inspire one another, embrace the gift of education and become beacons of hope and progress of the Society.
The highlight of the occasion was the distribution of educational materials to pupils and the unveiling of the remodeled LGEA Primary School sign post by the Commissioner for Education.
