RSG EXTOLLS THE IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE EDUCATION

The Rivers State Government says Science Education is a catalyst to the development of a nation.

The State Chief Executive, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike stated this at a State Banquet in honour of delegates to the 60th Anniversary Conference of the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN).

Represented by his Deputy Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Governor Wike said the State Government is very committed to Science Education because of its Importance that is why it is a priority in the New Rivers Vision.

“We know the Importance of Science Education, all over the world the practice of science in all its ramification is the bed rock of development” he said.

According to him for several years the State’s counterpart funding for Universal Basic Education was not paid by the previous Administration in the State and Education took a nose dive and deteriorated very fast.

“Our children were sitting on the bare floor, the environment was terrible and we had no option than to quickly pay up all the outstanding counterpart funds to salvage the situation” Governor Wike stressed.

He said 175 Primary Schools and Secondary Schools are undergoing a total renovation while standard science equipments have also been provided as part of deliberate efforts to encourage Science Education in the State.

Governor Wike who expressed delight that the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria chose to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee in Rivers State in the same year the State is celebrating her Golden Jubilee regretted that Rivers State has been a victim of false negative propaganda by people who do not mean well for the State.

He urged the Science Teachers to be our Ambassadors and tell the true Story of Rivers State when they return to their various States.

“Like you said we hope you will be our Ambassadors and have good stories to tell about Rivers State from what you have seen and heard, Rivers State is a serene and beautiful place to be in fact there is no Nigeria without Rivers State” Governor Wike said.

In his remarks the Secretary to the State Government Sir Kenneth Kobani who frowned at the absence of any Federal Project in the State, stated that for the past two years the Rivers People are yet to benefit from the Government at the centre despite being the geese that lays the golden egg in the Country.

He noted that as a responsive government the Governor Wike led administration in the State, has committed 70% of the State budget to infrastructural development, which according to him has earned the Governor the name “Mr. Project”.

Earlier the National President Science Teachers Association of Nigeria Mr. Mohammed Moulud commended Governor Nyesom Wike for sponsoring 400 Science Teachers in the State to participate in the conference, noting that the State Government’s support to the growth of Science and Technology is most needed at this time.

Mr. Mohammed, who remarked that the security system in the State is one of the best in the country, lauded the Rivers People for their hospitality to the delegates during the conference.


Owupele Benebo

Head of Press Unit,

Deputy Governor’s Office Port Harcourt.

Saturday, August 19th, 2017