Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund Board achieves mandate – Prof Isoun

 By Inegbagha Majesty

 The Chairman of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund board, Professor Turner T. Isoun has said that the agency has achieved the objective of its mandate on inception to office over 3 years ago.

Professor Turner T. Isoun

 Professor Isoun stated this at a media briefing organised by the board in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The Board Chairman who described education as key to poverty alleviation, upliftment of the quality of human life and sustainable development of any nation, stated emphatically that the motive behind the launching of the Education Development Trust Fund was for the people to see the development of education in the state as a collective responsibility, and not for the state and local governments alone.

He lamented that since the inauguration of the Board the people’s support was not encouraging; pointing out that some of those who pledged during the launching of the fund is yet to honour their pledge.

Professor Isoun stressed the need for the people of the state and Nigerians at large to take the ownership of the training of their people, adding that education should also include prosperity and not only just being a teacher and getting degrees.

Outlining some of the achievements of the Board, Professor Isoun said that on inception, the Board has embarked on funding of research development, infrastructure, handicapped students and development of laboratories and ICT in Education as well as feeding of over 5,000 students among others. He averred that the Board is building institutions and is focus and effective in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities.

 

Also enumerating the achievements of the Board, the Executive Secretary, Dr (Mrs) Alice A. Atuwo said that the board is feeding students of 12 Model Boarding Schools in the state as the number has increased from five on inauguration to twelve.

Left, Executive Secretary, Dr (Mrs) Alice A. Atuwo

 

According to her the agency has established 300 Seater Computer Base Testing Centre at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua which will be commission  at no distance period; adding that other Universities in the state have also benefited from its special programmes. Dr  Atuwo furthermore said the Board is training 15 teachers at the Ignatius Ajuro College of Education to offer Special needs.

In a chat with newsmen shortly after the press briefing, chairman publicity committee of the Board, Comrade John Angese further highlighted more achievements of the Board and lauded the Chairman and the Executive Secretary as well as Board members for their high level of performance within the period under review.