Gov. Yahaya Bello administration is irrevocably committed to bequeathing quality education to the future generation, reason why the present administration has made it top priority in it
thematic agenda.
The Kogi State Commissioner For Education, Science and Technology, Hon Wemi Jones made the disclosure while receiving in audience the Association of Women in Mining in Nigeria. (WIMIN) in his office led by Amb. Regina Edzuwah.
Hon. Jones notes with emphasis that the present administration in the State has in the last couple of years made education earn about 30% of the State’s budget, says the present administration believes that no legacy can be bequeathed to the coming generation like education.
While noting that Kogi State is blessed with a huge mineral deposits in commercial quantity in Nigeria, said the need to properly educate her citizens, through sensitization on the effect of mining in host communities through education and sensitization remains paramount.
While pointing out that women and children are worst affected owing to exploration activities in Communities, said the child rights act enacted in the State by the present administration, is in place with efforts working to make it fully operational for the good of the citizens.
The Commissioner says the State has a template running education, says the emphasis is specially on science, technology engineering and mathematics education, reason for the establishment of the Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara.
He said the concentration on sciences, with the establishment of the University in year 2020 to be a specialized University is to take advantage of the rich natural deposit the State is blessed with for the good of the people.
Hon. Jones says emphasis is on to reposition the State Secondary Schools with science students through the GYB Model Science Secondary Schools and to also provide students for the State Specialized University.
The Commissioner assured of a working collaboration with the Association that would be beneficial to the State and her citizens irrespective of gender.
Earlier in her remarks, the team lead, Association of Women in Mining in Nigeria. (WIMIN), Amb. Regina Edzuwah said the visit is to seek ways of collaboration.
The Association she explained is in collaboration with several organization like the National Human Rights Commission, is concerned about protecting lives of women and children in mining host communities.
She says the need to partner with the education sector remains critical, to encourage the girls child, through the girls for mining initiative to have a number of girls showing concerned about mining.
This she explained will help to spread the message of protecting lives of women and children, worst affected by mining activities, solicited the support of the Kogi State Ministry of Education.