By Stephen Adeleye.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, on Friday, honoured with an outstanding vote of confidence and certificate of credence award for excellent performance by the Coalition of Political Parties For GYB/CEDO.
Presenting the award in Lokoja, Hon. Ibrahim Itodo, the Chairman of the group, said the award was in recognition of the Commissioner’s excellent performance in remodeling education system in Kogi State within one year in office.
Itodo commended the commissioner for his proactive nature and commitment in bringing transformation to Kogi education sector through diverse innovations in the system within one year of his resumption of office.
He noted that the group had carried out their independent investigations on the activities of the education ministry headed by Jones, and discovered that he had the competence, character and the capacity to effectively pilot the ministry’s affairs.
He specially thanked His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, for his foresight in appointing a very competent and highly intelligent man to pilot the affairs of the education sector in Kogi State.
Itodo highlighted the Commissioner’s major achievements under one year to include, the establishment of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, upgrade of School of Agriculture, Ochaja, from certificate to a diploma awarding institution, the Federal Government Technical College, Ogugu, inauguration of Education for all project (EDUFAP) committee.
Others were the establishment of Kogi State Education Law which had been signed into law by Gov. Yahaya Bello, the approved 20% yearly budgetary allocation to education by His Excellency as from 2021, among several others.
Itodo specifically hailed the Commissioner for the quick remodification of School Academic Calendar as a result of the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which the federal government subsequently emulated.
”What you are doing today is not for yourself but for the people of Kogi State including the generation yet unborn.
”On behalf of the Nigeria National Volunteer Service (NNVS)/Diaspora Affairs in collaboration with Coalition of Political Parties for GYB/CEDO, this outstanding vote of Confidence/Certificate of Credence award is given to you to spur you to do more”, Itodo said.
Responding, the commissioner thanked the association for finding him worthy of the award, noting that he had turned down many awards from several groups in the past.
The commissioner appreciated Governor Bello, for the confidence he reposed on him to have given him the position to head the education, science and technology ministry.
He further eulogised the governor for backing him up with all the needed support which had made him to make such little impacts in the education sector, assuring that better days were ahead.
Jones commended the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Pastor Emmanuel Idenyi, for his unflinching support at all times and the entire management and staff of the ministry for their cooperation.
The assured that they would dedicate the year 2021 to work assiduously and effectively to cover up for 2020, and achieve whatever the State wanted to achieve in education sector.
”Because somebody gave me the opportunity of getting to this office and giving me all the support, I think he is the owner of the award.
”I owe it to God Almighty, who has used His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to put me here, so, I am dedicating this award to the education friendly and loving governor”, Jones said.
In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Pastor Emmanuel Idenyi, thanked the group for the award and for their integrity, resilience and commitment to the good of the state.
Idenyi further assured the group of continuous partnership with the ministry as they go along.
