Governor Henry Seriake Seriake Dickson has again assured children in the state of a brighter future.
This, according to him is informed by the various programmes being put in place by government to support and encourage youths to fully discover their potentials.
Hon. Dickson gave the assurance during an interactive session with children at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa.
Represented by the Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor, the Governor noted that his administration is working assiduously to discourage youths from engaging in political thuggery and other social ills with the introduction of free and compulsory education in primary and secondary schools in addition to the setting up of vocational centres to train those who do not have the basic educational knowledge.
He noted that the interactive session will go a long way in explaining some of the policies of government geared towards improving the lots of children, not only in the educational sector, but also in other sub-sectors of the economy.
According to Hon. Dickson, the interactive session was also an avenue for the children to make valuable contributions to the development of the State and nation in general.
The Governor disclosed that his wife's pet project christened ʺOut of school womanʺ which will soon take off is intended to take care of those who could not further their education due to child birth or other problems.
ʺThe target is to get those girls who are not well advised. I don't think it's a mistake on their part because if you don't advise a child very well, there are going to be mistakes.
ʺThe programme will be re-launched. Already we're building some structures in every local government headquarter for that purpose.
ʺWhen we experiment with the local government headquarters and it becomes effective, it will now be sent to the communities. Each Community will have a non-formal education centre which will hold from 4pm every evening.ʺ
On values and ethics, Hon. Dickson said the Senior Special Assistant on Value and Ethics will be going from school to school, undertake radio talk shows and visit communities to speak on the need for children and even adults to have a change of mindset, nothing that the programme would not be for the secular society alone as Churches are going to be incorporated as well.
ʺGovernment intends to use value and ethics orientation to change people's mind for them to become more responsible so that people in government and the society will see life from a different point of view.ʺ
He explained that the massive investment on education will integrate private schools in the state which are to have some form of benefits ranging from renovation of infrastructure, award of scholarships and free supply of books among others.
ʺWe will break new grounds in technology. We will like to see somebody who will help us find cure on AIDs, somebody to give injection to treat malaria permanently. That's our target.
ʺComputers will be made available as soon as computer labs are built in each of the schools. Addressing the media at the end of the programme, the Governor encouraged youths in the state to be serious with their studies especially the girls and charged them not to feel inferior or discriminated upon.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant on Girl Child Education, Mrs. Zifawei Pulu said female commissioners in the state will be brought to interact with the youths at future interactive sessions inspire them to work hard to achieve greatness.
He urged children across the State to shun cultism, avoid teenage pregnancy and focus more on their education.
ʺThe Governor Seriake Dickson led administration believes in you, the young people. Your future is secured.
ʺAs a true Bayelsans, you are supposed to enjoy peace and security.
ʺIt is good to build roads and bridges but developing human capacity is equally importantʺ, she stressed.
Some student who spoke to news men described the interactive session as creative and should be sustained while also encouraging the government to enlighten them more on the restoration agenda.
The interactive meeting also featured a question and answer session while the highlight of the programme was the free eye care service given to the children.
Via: Bayelsa State Government - Official Press Release
The Governor has done well by saying this. Bayelsa State is a place to be right about now. Good one