Visually Impaired Gets N2m Essay Prize
GOVERNOR Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has called for a state of emergency in the country's education sector, as a way of addressing problems of academic excellence in public schools.
Speaking on Saturday at the 2013 graduation ceremony of Pace Setter Academy in Abuja, the governor said that unless urgent step is taken to tackle the downward trend of government-owned schools across the country, they would be heading for the worst.
"I have said it before that what we have now is that public schools are heading towards a situation of emergency. I said emergency because virtually all infrastructures needed in schools are nonexistent and that is the reason there is no attainment of excellence in public schools.
"My consideration for Nasarawa State is to replicate what they have in Pace Setters Academy in various schools in the state by creating environment conducive to learning, providing books and furniture and ensuring that teachers are properly orientated. My intention is to professionalise education in order to attain educational excellence.
"There is no point sending children abroad when we have a good school such as this in the country that does not only pursue educational excellence but also pursues moral excellence," he said.
One of the highlights of the day was presentation of awards to winners of Barrister Kenneth Imansuagbon National Essay Competition.
The competition featured schools in four centres across the country including Benin, Ibillo Abuja and Uromi. At the end of the day, visually impaired Lucky Emmanuel of Ihogbe Junior Secondary School, Benin City, emerged winner in the Special Category.
Besides N100,000 and a Notebook computer prize, the Chairman, Parents/Teachers Association, Pace Setters Academy, Dr. Ya'Adua Bishir, supported the pupil, who was led by his mother, with the sum of N2million.
School's Chairman, Board of Trustee, Kenneth Imansuagbon, said the boy's achievement is an indication that there is no barrier in education.
He urged the boy not to be deterred by his physical challenges but aspire to achieve greatness and contribute to nation building.
Also at the event were the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Tony Anenih and Dele Momodu.
Anenih admonished parents to bequeath education to their children, as a lasting legacy, irrespective of their status or challenges in life.
The Guardian
Education will always be the best legacy for everyone in the whole wide world. We need to take it more seriously....
Education is something Nigerians can't do without, every child in Nigeria deserves to be trained in school.