By joshua 
.. Kick-starts Adoption and Mentorship Program.
Aftermath the flag off of the School Adoption and Mentorship program flagged off in Kogi State, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon Wemi Jones has kicked started the program with a visit to Crowther Memorial College and Government Science Secondary School, in Lokoja to mentor and teach the Students’.
The School Adoption and Mentorship programme is the initiative of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology aimed at encouraging learners’ interest in school by adopting and mentoring students in Public Secondary Schools across the State.
The Commissioner disclosed that the Program is concerned about the Secondary Education level explained that the Basic level is already enjoying support from UBEC while the Tertiary Education also has the TETfund support.
Hon. Jones thanked Gov. Yahaya Bello for giving the approval for the School Adoption and Mentorship programme, expressed optimism that it would help restore the glory of education and to motivate learners for improved performance.
The Commissioner praised Gov. Bello for adopting education as one of the focal areas of attention, lauded his Political will in allocating 20% of 2021 budget to Education and also increased the year 2022 Education budget to 30%, a feat he described as monumental and iconic in the history of the State.
The feat Education has attained under Gov Bello, the Commissioner explained has surpassed the UNESCO global benchmark, said despite Government’s effort, a lot still remains to be done, saying that Government alone cannot do everything.
The Commissioner pointed out that through collective efforts and team work by Stakeholders, the provision of accessible, safe and conducive learning environment, and quality education delivery can be achieved.
Stakeholders as part of the School Adoption and Mentorship are expected to adopt schools and students of their choices for teaching, giving career talks, motivational lectures and storytelling about self, great historical heroes, or cultural experiences of their environment, to motivational Learners.
The stakeholders are also expected to undertake vocational teaching and adoption of a school or an indigent student towards motivating and helping to restore learners’ interest in education and its values.
The Commissioner disclosed that the new initiative will help Stakeholders to have first-hand informational knowledge regarding schools and learners they may wish to adopt, as well as help motivate the teachers and school Management
Hon. Jones tasked the Students’on Talent, Discipline, Tenacity, Determination and Perseverance, described modern day Education is dynamic.
He urged the Students’ to develop their God given talent and skills urged them not bury their talent but should develope it into skills, through Discipline and tenacity of purpose.
The Commissioner said no success comes without Discipline in career, education, said growing up he was extremely discipline, urged the Students’ to explore anything they do and gives them joy with seriousness.
While relating his life experiences, he said from a humble background, having known the importance of Education, explained that using agriculture and farming held on to the keys of discipline, was able to fend for himself through school to today become what he is today.
He urged the Students’to be tenacious and not allow distraction to becloud their goals in life, said he had a goal to become a banker, pursued his dreams with hardwork, rose to the pinnacle of his banking Profession before venturing into his private business.
He urged the Students’ not to see setbacks or failure as the end of life, insisting that with perseverance and remaining steadfast and focus, they can become what they dream to become, said challenges are normal in life but ability to surmount the challenges is what makes them successful in life.
He charged the students to begin to imagine what they want to become, urged them to look up to mentors as a reference to becoming successful, concluded by saying that their destinies lies in their hands.
In her remarks, Mrs Ogunmola M.B, Principal CMC, described the initiative as commendable as it has the propensity to spur them to be focused, committed and pursue their even in the midst of challenges.
Also speaking, Mr. Ibrahim Onipe, described the visit by the Commissioner as laudable, said this is not only happening for the first time, described it as a morale booster to the teachers and students.
Similarly, Rimamf Atem, student of CMC who spoke on behalf of the School expressed optimism that it would put the students in a better stead to remain focussed and determined, described the initiative as first of its kind.
In his remarks, Durowaiye Praise of GSSS, expressed satisfaction that he has been taught the need to look up to mentors, to be persistent and focused in achieving his goals not minding the difficulties of life.
Highlights of the visit to the secondary schools by the Commissioner was the presentation of books to some Students’ and the Schools.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Pastor Emmanuel Idenyi, accompanied the Commissioner on the visit, expressed happiness that a new chapter to stakeholders towards contributing to quality and funding of education and to encourage students and management has been opened in the State.