Vice Chancellor of the premier Bayelsa State Government-own university, the Niger Delta University (NDU), Prof. Allen Agih, has advocated for greater attention to what he described as the “compass concept of learning” in the nation’s educational curriculum.
The academic made the advocacy on Sunday while delivering a public lecture entitled, “Compass of Human Development in the 21st century politics and Governance: A conversation conundrum”, held as part of activities to commemorate the 40th birth anniversary of former Special Assistant to the Managing Director/CEO, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Alabh George Turnah, in Yenagoa, the State Capital.
The Tide learnt that Turnah is currently an Executive Assistant to the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.
According to Agih, compass is a device which determines Cardinal direction, hence the compass of human development in the 21st century does with tools or the devices employed to enable humans attain expected advancement in a more productive and sustainable manner.
The NDU Vice Chancellor, who posited that such tools for human advancement have been available from time immemorial, also noted that these devices were inherent in man from creation.
He, however, noted that these tools have been re-discovered by the United Nations as the most potent instruments for the advancement of humans and the society, respectively.
“Unfortunately, our current education system doesn’t pay sufficient attention to the development of the compass attributes in the pupils and students while in school.
“This lecture is, therefore, intended to re-unveil these tools that have been in existence but haven’t been sufficiently utilised over the years, especially in the developing countries.
“The objective of this lecture would’ve been achieved if political and community leaders, leaders of corporate organizations, institutional leaders, individuals and groups, especially the youths, are able to identify and apply more of the doctrine of the compass of human development as re-discovered and made public by the United Nations, which is believed to have more prospects and potentials for sustainable development of societies globally”, he said.
Speaking on “Politics and Governance”, the Vice Chancellor described politics as having concern with the set of activities which were associated with making decisions in groups, or other forms of power relations amongst individuals, including the distribution of resources and statuses.
“Political Governance is the process of decision-making to formulate policy. Administrative Governance is the system of policy implementation, encompassing all three; politics, good governance and administration. It’s concerned mostly with the processes and structures that guide political and socioeconomic relationships”, Agih added.
Meanwhile, First lady of Bayelsa State, Dr. Gloria Diri, has described the celebrant, George Turnah, as an industrious and trustworthy fellow.
She commended Turnah on his achievements at 40, noting also that because the celebrant has washed his hands clean, he was now dining with kings,
She advised youths of the state to emulate the life-style of the celebrant and desist from thuggery, as well as any other form of violence before, during and after the November 11th 2023 Governorship polls in the state.
Earlier, speaking with newsmen, the celebrant advised youths to be focused and hardworking, noting that that he is being celebrated today was because he worked hard and prepared himself to make judicious use of opportunities available for the betterment of self and society in general.
He acknowledged the hand of God in his entire developmental stages in life, cautioning youths against social vices.
In the same vein, the Secretary-General, Ogbia Brotherhood (Worldwide), the parent socio-cultural organisation of Ogbia kingdom, Dr. Godswill Iboroma Ikuli, described the celebrant as a worthy ambassador of the kingdom.
Ikuli, who commended Turnah for his good works in and outside the kingdom, also express the profound gratitude of the Ogbia people to the former NDDC MD’s aide.
He noted that at 40 Turnah has shown greater capacity towards making the much needed unity in the kingdom even stronger in his activities, saying he has impacted lives of youths of the kingdom positively.
Highpoints of the event, which had earlier began with a Golf tournament at the Henry Seriake Dickson Golf club (HSDGC), Yenagoa, also included a thanksgiving service, as well as goodwill messages from friends, political associates and family members.
There was also presentation of certificate of recognition to the celebrant by the executives of the “Ogbia brotherhood youth council’ (Worldwide) affirming the celebrant as number one youth leader of the Ogbia kingdom.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa