News
Out-of-school children: Octogenarian educationist tasks govt on education reforms
Out-of-school children: Octogenarian educationist tasks govt on education reforms
An octogenarian and former Chief Education Officer, zonal education headquarters, Bauchi State, Mr Sangowole Amos Ayo has urged government at all levels to take steps towards reforming the education sector.
Ayo who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Saturday shortly after a Thanksgiving Service organised to mark his 80th birthday said such reforms were necessary to boost school enrolment across the country.
He said with the increasing rate of school drop out, it had become necessary for government to take urgent steps that would help reverse the trend as well as boost the quality of education.
He said with that the negative impact of out-of-school, the future of the country may be threatened if government does not initiate measures to encourage enrolment and make primary and secondary schools more attractive to children.
According to him, part of the reforms should include the re-introduction of the benefits that pupils and students enjoyed in the 1960s.
“With the hardship being experienced by Nigerians today, if nothing is done in terms of reforms and conscious efforts to encourage enrolment, students will continue to drop out.
“The future of the country depends on the education of these children and if they don’t get proper education then our challenges would be worse than what we have now.
“Those days we enjoyed free education, government paid us stipends and we got regular supply of beverages and toiletries.
“With the level of hardship today, if such measures are re-introduced, they will provide opportunity for more poor parents’ children to be in school and not drop out at least until they finish their secondary school,” he said.
The veteran teacher said the reforms should also include training teachers regularly, building more schools and equipping them with the modern innovative and technological tools.
Amos-Ayo said such would provide an environment conducive for students to compete favourable with their colleagues globally.
The educationist also advised parents to make more sacrifice towards ensuring that their children get the best education possible.
“Education remain the best tool to reforming our children and making them better citizens for the benefits of the nation.”
Our correspondent reports that Ayo has served as principal of various secondary schools including Misau in Bauchi State; Dadin Kowa, Kaltungo and Gombe all in Gombe State.
Ayo is the pioneer principal and director of Bethany Int’l College, Gombe who also thanked God for giving the grace to attain the octogenarian age said “It’s been God all through this journey; I owe Him everything I am today.
“I have been able to impact positively in the lives of children because I see them as children that God and their parents have entrusted in my hand and I can’t afford to fail them,” he said.
The thanksgiving service which held at Bethany International College was attended by people from all walks of life, many of the guests who spoke at the event described Ayo as a devoted child of God and lover of education, humble, hard working and committed teacher as well as a lover of football.
Jos DisCo urges Gombe customers to reciprocate improved power supply
The Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED), on Wednesday, appealed to its customers in Gombe State to pay their electricity bills as a way of reciprocating the improved power supply in the state and its franchise.
Mr Abdu Mohammed, the managing director of JED, made the call while speaking at a customer consultative forum held in Gombe.
Mohammed decried the non-payment of electricity bills by consumers in the state, noting that the attitude of energy users in that regard was posing a big challenge to the company.
Represented by Mr Yerima Baba, the manager of Doma regional office, Mr Mohammed said the customers had a duty to pay for services that they have enjoyed.
According to him, this will enable JED sustain the improvement towards guaranteeing customers’ satisfaction across its franchise.
He stated that in the month of August, the energy bill for the state was N1.3 billion and only about 15.4 per cent of the total bills charged had been paid by customers.
“The electricity business is changing gradually and drastically. It is well known that Jos electricity is giving out the total volume of energy.
“There are feeders we give up to 100 per cent energy; this means that if translated to money, our monthly energy increases as well as the bill.
“But unfortunately, the response from the customers is appalling, so bad that if it continues like that, it would be difficult to sustain the business.
“We are consuming the total energy that is worth over N2 billion yet, the income generated from the two regions in Gombe State as at Tuesday September 17 is less than N200 million.
“We were billed over N1.3 billion for the month of August for the whole of Gombe and Doma,” he said.
Mohammed said there was high level of apathy in terms of payment of electricity bills, lamenting that people were paying just what they like.
“We are calling on customers to reciprocate now that energy is stable and availability is increasing; we are out to serve you please help us to serve you better,” he said.
Mohammed also decried the high rate of energy theft and vandalism which he said was affecting the company.
Also speaking, Mr Saad Abubakar, the manager of Gombe regional office said JED was working to improve on its metering, adding that improvements and customers’ satisfaction remained a critical component of the organisation.
Abubakar commended the customers for turning out to engage with JED on how to improve service delivery while assuring them that all genuine concerns raised would be addressed.
Our correspondent reports that customers during the engagement lauded JED for improved power supply in the state.
Entertainment
Tito Jackson, Michael Jackson’s Brother and Jackson 5 Member, Dies at 70; Nigerians Pay Tribute
Tito Jackson, Michael Jackson’s Brother and Jackson 5 Member, Dies at 70; Nigerians Pay Tribute
Tito Jackson, renowned as a member of the iconic Jackson 5 and the older brother of Michael Jackson, has passed away at the age of 70. His death has sparked a wave of mourning among fans in Nigeria and around the world.
Tito’s contributions to music and his role in the Jackson 5, a group that revolutionized pop music, are being remembered fondly.
Tributes are pouring in as fans and fellow musicians celebrate his legacy and the significant impact he had on the music industry.
Yobe Govt Donates N100m to Support Borno Flood Victims
Yobe State Governor, His Excellency Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, has extended a N100 million donation to the Borno State Government to aid victims of the recent Maiduguri floods. The announcement was made during a sympathy visit to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum in Maiduguri on Saturday.
In addition to the state donation, Governor Buni also pledged a personal contribution of food items worth N50 million to assist those affected by the floods. He described the humanitarian crisis as devastating and urged everyone to come forward with support.
“Yobe and Borno states are like twins, sharing similar hardships. We must stand by each other in times of need,” Buni stated.
The Yobe Governor also expressed condolences for those who lost their lives in the disaster and wished a quick recovery for the injured.
Governor Zulum expressed gratitude to Governor Buni and the people of Yobe State for their generosity and solidarity. He highlighted the strong bond between the two states, noting that Buni’s administration has further strengthened the unity between Borno and Yobe.
“The people of Yobe and Borno are one family, and this support reinforces that connection. We deeply appreciate the gesture,” Zulum said.
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