The Rivers State Government says it has spent the last four and half years to focus on the gradual transformation of the State’s education system to a world class status.
The State Chief Executive Nyesom Ezenwo Wike stated this while receiving the Award of Honorary Fellowship of the Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE) at the 34th Annual Congress of the Academy at the University of Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, 5th November, 2019.
Represented by his Deputy Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo Governor Wike said the State is gradually becoming home to some of the finest public primary and secondary schools in the country, which he attributed to his Administration’s enormous investments in education.
“With the best of education infrastructure, conducive learning environment and dedicated teachers the outlook is getting brighter for public schools in Rivers State” Governor Wike stressed.
According to Governor Wike, quality education remains the most fundamental key to success for any individual or a country.
“All the developed countries and advanced economies of the world are where they are because of the quality of their education, which they have effectively displayed to tackle their challenges” He further stressed.
He however regretted that Nigeria is still far from achieving its national objectives on education, noting that our educational system continues to trail other countries, while our students are not getting the problem solving skills that comes with quality education.
The State Chief Executive who said the answer to the development challenges lies in our educational system, stressed that we must fix and get it right if we hope to progress and join the rest of the world.
Governor Wike who said he was humbled by the honour bestowed on him as a Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Education disclosed that the award would spur him to continue to ensure that children in the State have access to quality learning.
Earlier the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt Prof. Ndowa Lale who spoke through the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration Prof. Regina Ogali advocated for the early exposure of students to digital literacy.
In her remarks, the President of the Nigerian Academy of Education, Prof. Elizabeth Eke said the Nigerian Academy of Education is the apex organization for seasoned, experienced top notch educationists from the academia and administration.
According to her the body is apolitical completely national and does not discriminate on the bases of religion, gender, location or age, noting that the aim of NAE is to advise on and help improve the quality of education at all levels in all its ramification.
The keynote address was presented by Dr. Juliet Inegbedion on the theme “Teaching With Technologies: Challenges, Opportunities And Prospects in Nigeria”.
