… raises concern over students’ abysmal performance in examinations.
By Olatunde Odimayo.
Due to the unsatisfactory performance of students in examinations, the Administrator of Lokoja local government, Honourable Shiru Lawal has flagged-off a free holiday lesson program in the local government area.
The administrator, who could not shy away from the poor performance of students in both internal and external examinations, expressed his administration’s resolve to change the face of education in the local government.
“This administration is poised to change the ill-ranking of our local government from the hitherto educationally disadvantage, largely informed by the abysmal performance of the students in both internal and external examinations, to a first class educationally advantage local government”, he said.
“You will agree with me that the poor performance of our students in WASSCE, NECO, NABTEB, and JAMB in recent years leaves very much to be desired and had denied them opportunities to gain admission into higher learning institutions to improve themselves educationally. This unwholesome development is not only worrisome but a disgrace to the local government,” Shiru added.
As parts of the steps taken by the council to reverse the ugly trend, five centres were earmarked for the lesson taking into cognizance proximity and convenience for the teachers and students. The centres are; Local Government Secondary School Kabawa, Bishop Delise College, Local Government Secondary School Felele, St. Luke’s Primary School Adankolo and Muslim Community Secondary School Lokongoma.
Shiru recalled that successive administrations had in one way or the other made frantic and concerted efforts to advance the course of education describing it as the greatest legacy that any responsible government would like to bequeath to the younger generation.
The administrator outlined some of the steps taken so far by his council to fulfil this mandate to his people among which are scholarship program, purchase of school uniforms, procurement and distribution of text books which according to him are in its first stage.
Meanwhile, in a bid to ensure smooth running of the holiday which is geared towards pulling off students from the street, Honourable shiru went further to present writing materials to 10 wards in the local government including cash sum for JAMB registration.
In another development, Shiru Lawal visited Kabawa community where he distributed pumping machines to some youths who are into car washing business.
According to him, many of them are graduates from various institutions but decides to settle down in this trade due to the non availability of jobs in the country.
