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Education Key To Economic Dev – Banigo
The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo has said that education is the key to every level of economic development.
Banigo stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 18th International Annual General Meeting and National Camp of the Association of Methodist Brigade in Port Harcourt.
Represented by her Special Assistant on Legal Matters, Barrister Ishmael Blue-Jack, Banigo said the negative way in which education has been portrayed in the country was responsible for the stalled economic development being witnessed.
“The way education has been portrayed has also been one of the major issues stalling our economic development. In Nigeria, parents force their children to seek white collar jobs because they have always believed that this is the way to economic empowerment”, she stressed.
She said that the topic, “Education and Entrepreneurship: Key to Economic Emancipation”, was apt and timely but regretted that a lot of youth do not understand the intricacies of economics, finance and nation-building, which according to her, go hand in gloves.
The deputy governor said the future of any nation or state rests on the shoulders of the youth, who she described as the leaders of tomorrow.
“The Bible admonishes that we should bring up a child the way he should go so that when he grows up, he would not depart from it”, she said.
Banigo, who once served as president of the Boys Brigade of Nigeria, Rivers State branch and matron of the Girls Brigade from 1996-1999, said the problems faced by youth have grown in proportion since then, as they were now exposed to cult practices, illicit drugs and other related crimes.
The deputy governor said in a bid to make the state investor-friendly, the Governor Nyesom Wike-led Rivers State Government has “taken into special consideration, the economic future of the communities and our policies are particularly geared towards the establishment of small and medium scale enterprise (SMES)”.
Banigo, who urged youth to always strive for excellence, commended the organizers of the conference for choosing Port Harcourt to host such a dynamic gathering.
Earlier in his address, the National President, Association of Methodist Brigade, Rt. Rev. Gboyega Ohu said the theme of the conference, “God’s Word: My Guide” was what is needed at this time to ignite a positive change in the polity and administration of the nation.
She noted that as a body saddled with the responsibility of training youth in the church to impact and benefit society, it was also their duty to teach them the principles of Godliness.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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