The huge investment in tertiary institutions in Bayelsa State, including the Niger Delta University, NDU, is not wasted afterall, says the state governor, Senator Douye Diri. This follows the accreditation of numerous programmes offered at NDU and other institutions.
The state commissioner for education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, while presenting a report on the accreditation of courses in the schools, had reported to the state exco meeting, that since 2022, the NDU has had a total of 116 programmes accredited while the Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, which has been affiliated to NDU, has had 10 of its programmes also accredited.
Emelah said seven programmes were accredited at the Bayelsa Medical University, four of which were full while three got interim accreditation.
Also, he said the Bayelsa State Polytechnic, which got 16 of its programmes accredited, now offers more Higher National Diploma programmes than National Diploma programmes.
An excited Diri, who spoke at the meeting, said his administration’s investment in the education sector has yielded positive results.
The Bayelsa governor said the government’s huge investment in the sector was informed by his conviction that education was the bedrock of development as no society can develop beyond its level of education.
He noted that accreditation of the programmes was a testament to the fact that the administration was committed to uplifting the sector and promised to keep investing in education.
He recalled that there were issues of non-accreditation of programmes in tertiary institutions in the state when he assumed office and that since 2020, the government had invested over N20 billion in its drive to correct the anomaly.
The governor acknowledged that the Niger Delta University (NDU) alone had contributed significantly to the human capital development of the state, stressing that most graduates in the civil service today were products of the institution.
He stressed the primacy of education among the young generation and urged the youths to shun cultism and all forms of vices, saying they had no reward.
His words: “The accreditation reports attest to the fact that we are working together so that our investments would not fail us. We have always said the priority of our administration was education and we will continue to invest in it as it is the pivot of societal development. No society can develop beyond its level of education.
“We are happy with the reports, which show that our investment of billions in the sector was not in vain. We met issues of accreditation when we came on board but we battled all of that. We have spent over N20 billion in ensuring that programmes in our institutions get accredited. We are doing this not only for ourselves but for generations yet unborn.”
Meanwhile, has extolled the virtues of the outgoing state Head of Service, Mrs Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema, saying she served meritoriously.
Speaking during the weekly state executive council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Diri said Mrs Charles-Onyema exemplary dedication was a lesson for all those in service, saying those who serve well will be promoted by God.
His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as saying that even when it seemed nobody was watching, those in service must ensure that they do what was right at all times as service without blemish brings reward.
He said: “In anything you do, if human beings do not watch you, somebody else is watching, and that is God. If you do it well, He will always promote you by using men and women.
“We have heard her story and it should be an inspiration to all of us that when you serve well, you will be promoted.”
In her remarks, Mrs. Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema, said she served in the civil service for over 20 years and would be retiring as she clocks 60 years.
She said the service was not a dumping ground but a place of professionalism where people can grow.
