Delta State Government has called on individuals, organizations, private sector and well meaning Deltans to partner with it in funding education in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Festus Ovie Agas, made the call in Asaba during the 2nd Delta State Award for Excellence for Pupils and Students held at Felix Ibru Secretariat, along Okpanam Road, Asaba.
Agas stated that the government alone could not carry the burden of education and, therefore, called on the private sector to join hands with the state government to fund education.
The SSG, who expressed appreciation to Eroton Oil Exploration and Production Company for partnering with the state government in the area of education and for sponsoring the award for excellence programme, stated that the state government placed premium on education, adding that Nigeria was running knowledge based economy.
He said that the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration has education as one of its cardinal programmes, saying the education sector had received a remarkable facelift with the repositioning of technical and vocational education, construction and renovation of school infrastructure, equipping of public schools, revamping of school sports and the adoption of international best practices.
He congratulated the awardees and urged them to continue to excel in their studies.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, said, “One critical sphere where a sustainable partnership was desired was that of rewarding learners, who excel academically. This strategic area received a huge boost with the acceptance of Eroton Exploration and Production Company Limited to sponsor the Delta State Award of Excellence for Pupils and Students.”
According to Ebie, “The award of excellence was aimed at celebrating highly motivated students by creating a sense of pride as well as encouraging and facilitating students’ interest in acquiring skills and knowledge.”
He revealed that the Delta State government was resolute in its determination and commitment to ensure that the award of academic excellence was sustained, saying that the benefits were already manifest in learners quest for excellence in various academic endeavours.
