Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has urged the state Education Development Trust Fund Board (EDTFB) to step up their revenue drive to augment the monthly statutory funds it is drawing from the State Government.
He gave the advice at a recent meeting with the Management of the Board led by the Acting Chairman, Prof. Francis Sikoki, who represented the substantive Chairman, Prof Turner Isoun, in Government House, Yenagoa.
The Deputy Governor, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, described education as a critical social need that requires so much financial investment for its impact to be felt in society.
While acknowledging the role the Board is playing in advancing the educational fortunes of the state, he stressed the need for them not to depend on government’s funding alone, considering the capital intensiveness of education.
Ewhrudjakpo, however, assured that the Governor Douye Diri-led administration would continue to show commitment to its monthly statutory obligations to the Board because of the high premium it attaches to education.
Underscoring the importance of education, the Deputy Governor, noted that, “those with thorough education are those who are easy to lead, because they know their rights. Therefore, investing in the sector cannot be overemphasized”.
He venerated the immediate past Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Seriake Dickson, for his doggedness, astuteness and foresight in initiating the EDTF, noting that even the vilest opposers of the idea are now singing his praises.
”Just as a piece of advice, your operation for revenue drive has to go beyond what it is now. So, you need to explore other means. There is nothing wrong if the Trust Fund could organize annual dinners and lectures as a way of raising funds.
“I want to encourage you to spread your tentacles, because until a seed is buried, it cannot become a tree. So, we need to expand what we have in order not to limit ourselves to this statutory line of funding.
“We believe that the first priority of every reasonable government after security is education. That is why the Prosperity Administration has made it its top cardinal point for development. Because we believe that the more educated people we have, the better our society.
“I am very sure and persuaded that most of us at the initial stage, would think why Education Trust Fund. But today we all, including those his critics will agree that if not of the novel ideas and initiatives he (Senator Dickson) took, we would not be making some of the progress we are making today as a state”, he said.
Earlier in his address, Prof. Sikoki, who represented the substantive Chairman of the EDTF Board, commended Governor Diri for sustaining the trust fund policy he inherited from his predecessor.
He explained that in pursuance of its mandate, the Board has formulated a number of policies and programmes as well as set up some standing committees to enable it carry out its duties effectively.
According to the Acting Chairman, the Board is also developing a strategic plan for intervention in some key areas, including information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure, functional science laboratories, school feeding and capacity building, especially for teachers.
While thanking the State Government for its support so far, Professor Sikoki, appealed for more funding and better office accommodation for the Board to discharge effective and efficient services.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr Gentle Emelah, the Executive Secretary, Dr Alice Atuwo, and some members of the EDTF Board, including Dr James Tobias, Sir Mathias Otuogha and His Majesty, King Fidelis Agbiki, who is the Regent of Tarakiri Kingdom, were among dignitaries that attended the meeting.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa