• Says investing in education is urgency of now
By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has inaugurated members of the state Education Trust Fund Board, saying it would play a key role in helping to solidify educational transformation in the state.
AbdulRazaq said the inauguration represents another phase in the state’s journey, flaunting some of the achievements of his administration in the sector, such as the massive school renewal projects and investments in training of teachers.
He said: “The inauguration of the Kwara State Education Trust Fund Board today is another strategic step towards providing the right environment for excellent learning outcomes for the Kwara child and to enable sustainable development in our state.
“A few months ago at an education event on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, I said that investing in education is the urgency of now. This notion has been the main driver of the many reforms we have carried out in the education sector,” he said.
“We have up-skilled and resourced thousands of teachers, and empowered tens of thousands of students with essential learning materials and more conducive school environments.
“Today, our teachers are reporting rapid improvements among their students. This growth is not only reported internally. Recently, Kwara passed the appraisal and was included in the World Bank’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment programme. Our young girls are set to enjoy the benefits of Kwara AGILE.
“Our children are already posting great performances on the national stage. You will see that from the recent UBEC school debate, which Kwara won again after having won last year’s edition and are set to represent Nigeria in the Republic of Serbia in Europe for an international school debate.
“Notwithstanding these feats, we are not resting on our oars. If we are to deliver the promised dramatic improvements in learning outcomes in public schools for all children across Kwara State — and I promise you we will deliver — we need strong oversight, strategic direction, and resources that will ensure longevity.
“This is where the Kwara State Education Trust Fund Board comes in. A critical component of our Kwara State Education Transformation Agenda (KWETA), the board will mobilise resources to support infrastructural development and growth in our education sector. It will help us build stakeholder partnerships and ensure our educational investments are effective, efficient, and aligned with our goals.
Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, for her part, said the inauguration of the Board will complement the investment of the present administration in the education sector.
She said the Board would be practically private sector-driven, adding that “I’m particularly excited with the choice of the Chairman and esteemed members who have accepted to serve in this Board”.
Board Chairman, Abdulhakeem Uthman Mustapha (SAN), congratulated AbdulRazaq’s administration for its huge investments in the education sector, adding: “What you are doing in the education sector in Kwara state is commendable. You are planting a tree for the future. It shows you are forward-thinking and you are trying to provide the workforce that will impart on our state.”
He solicited the support of the government in order to achieve their goals, and pledged not to disappoint the administration and entire Kwarans.