Bayelsa State Governor, Honourable Seriake Dickson, says the state will become the centre for educational excellence in the near future with the substantial investments made in the sector.

Addressing the 1,200 SS 3 students at the closing ceremony of the Academic, Mentoring and Leadership Training Programme, at the Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama, Governor Dickson charged the students of the model secondary schools in the state to excel in their academic pursuits to conquer the world in all fields of human endeavour.

A press release signed by the governor's Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo quoted Governor Dickson as advising students against hard drugs, cultism and other acts inimical to their future.

Governor Dickson said the state government would undertake the payment of all their WAEC fees as it had been doing since the inception of his administration in 2012.

Commending the education team for their efforts, he said the programme was a deliberate policy of government to mentor young minds and prepare them for leadership roles in society.

His words: “I appreciate your good conduct. You have been studying hard and you are the special children of the Ijaw nation who will take over the entire nation for us. For those oppressing us all these decades, we have a message for them through you; the Bayelsa and Ijaw children are coming, so don’t let us down.

“Don’t let anyone put you down; set your goals very high. I want you to fly high and conquer the world. I will continue to support and mentor younger people because you are the hope for a brighter and better tomorrow.”

Governor Dickson, who said the state recorded the least infractions in last year’s external examinations, urged the students to do better than their predecessors.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite, said the state government has so far invested about N80 billion in the education sector as a demonstration of Governor Dickson’s passion for the educational advancement of the people.

He lauded the policies introduced by government particularly the Education Development Trust Fund and Higher Education Loans Board, which he noted, was being recommended for other states towards sustaining education.

Also speaking, the Chairperson, Teachers Training Registration and Certification Board, Dr. Stella Ugolo, said the programme was aimed at ensuring the improvement of academic process of the students to enable them pass external examinations with ease without any help or malpractice.

•Photo by Michael Owi shows Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (2nd L), presenting a special prize to the Overall Best Student for the 2018 Summer (Holiday) Classes of the Ijaw National Academy (INA), Kaiama, Master Faye Bishop (R), while his Deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah Retd (L), and the State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Jonathan Obuebite (2nd R) looks on with delight, during the closing ceremony of the 2018 Summer Holiday Classes, at the Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama.

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