The Nassaraw State government on Wednesday said the success of the Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) has inspired it to adopt and understudy the scheme.
The delegation from Nasarawa led by Special Adviser to the Nasarawa State Governor on Education, Abubakar Idris-Adamu commended the Bayelsa EDTF for its innovative and impactful contributions to education after embarking on a study tour of its projects across the state.
The Bayelsa EDTF set up by ex-governor of Bayelsa, Sen Seriake Dickson eight years ago.
The interventionist agency mobilised funds from public servants, political appointees and honours to intervene in critical areas of needs at all levels of the education sector.
Idris-Adamu, who led the delegation to Bayelsa to understudy the governance structure and operations of the Bayelsa EDTF said it is learning the ropes to guide its newly established version in Nasarawa.
He explained that more than 70 per cent input on the law establishing the fund in came from Bayelsa.
“We are extremely grateful to the Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund for inspiration and opening its doors to us and providing mentorship.
“And this trip to public secondary schools and University will further provide us with the guide to drive our own fund in Nassarawa and from what we saw, the impact is very impressive.
“We learnt about Bayelsa EDTF through extensive media reports of its activities while researching on how to go about improving educational outcomes in our own state of Nasarawa,” Idris-Adamu said.
The delegation visited Swali Technical School, Okaka Technical School, Kaiama Grammar School, Ijaw National Academy, and the University of Africa, Toru-Orua.
At the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, the delegation and officials of Bayelsa EDTF were received by the Vice Chancellor Prof Soloman Ebobrah and principal officials of the state owned university.
Ebobrah praised the efforts of the Bayelsa EDTF in supporting research programmes of the institution as the clinched five out of the nine research grants endowed by the Bayelsa EDTF.
The Vice Chencellor noted that the support provided by the fund cuts across infrastructure projects like the Computer Based Test Centre, Laboratory equipment amongst thers.
He also commended the Bayelsa EDTF for showcasing the efforts of Bayelsa government to other states of the federation.
The Acting Chairman of Bayelsa EDTF , Prof Francis Sikoki noted that the fund was delighted that its modest efforts were attracting recognition and attention at the national level.
Present during the tour were members of the EDTF, including Chief Mrs Edwin Tawari, Pastor Mathew Odo, Mr Abah Dressman, Ebison Fiebo, Mr John Angese among others.