Politics
How Yahaya Bello accomplished free education policy in Kogi state
By Samuel Igbetua, Lokoja
Kogi state, in North Central Nigeria under the immediate past governor Alhaji Yahaya Bello arguably was neither the bride nor did she profit from the goodwill of many Nigerians on account of largely unpalatable reports.
The incessant unpalatable reports of violence, killings, kidnappings and of late, corruption did not assuage the situation.
The reports of these vices arguably diminished and indeed paled to the insignificant the socio-economic and political developments in the state.
All indices points to the fact that Kogi state is crisis ridden coupled with allegations of ill payment to civil servants and pensioners.
Yahaya Bello remain the epicentre of the diagnostic. He is vilified and derided by many.
Arguably , no decent society would sweep away the alleged level of infractions or insecurity in the state if proven .
The narrative in Kogi is interesting, intriguing and conversely so.
Curiously, no one has given credit to Yahaha Bello for initiating and indeed implementing free education policy from primary school to post primary schools in the state nor was he recognized for establishing two new universities in the confluence state in addition to the State university in Ayingba where he built and equipped a Teaching Hospital.
Prior to Bello’s administration, the state of education in Kogi lacked clear direction. For instance, a comprehensive survey conducted in 2017 by the ACTIONAID/PIBCID revealed critical insights into the education sector’s performance and challenges in the state.
These findings highlighted deficiencies in performance and instructional delivery that hindered the achievement of critical goals: improving literacy rates, advancing Early Child Care Development Education (ECCDE), enhancing the quality of education from basic to tertiary levels, promoting girl-child education, and elevating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills and STEM education.
In response to these challenges, Bello directed the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology to organised the 2018 State Education Summit, known as the ‘Education Roadmap.’
This summit gathered stakeholders to devise strategies for the state’s educational development.
Subsequently, the State Education Law of 2020 was enacted to provide guidance and regulation for the operation of the education sector.
The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, went a step further by developing the State Education Strategic Plan (SESP) 2021-2030 and the State Education Operational Plan (SESOP) 2021-2027, which align with the Ministerial Strategic Plan (MSP) to address gaps in the education sector.
Under the leadership of Bello, the administration transformed the education landscape from one marked by neglect and decay to one filled with hope, improved access, equity, infrastructure development, and enhanced service delivery.
One of the administration’s groundbreaking achievements in the education sector was the allocation of 30% of the budget to education in each fiscal year since 2021. This allocation exceeded the UNESCO-recommended benchmark of 26%, underscoring Bello’s unparalleled commitment to education in the state.
To ensure effective utilization of this investment, the state government under Bello conducted training sessions for over 2,000 school managers, focusing on curriculum delivery, quality assurance, and enhanced efficiency in partnership with National Teachers Institute (NTI), National Population Commission (NPC), Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), and the Federal Ministry of Education (FME).
Additional training sessions on conducting the Annual School Census have been provided to over 1,500 individuals by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology.
To enhance the workforce in the education sector, the government under Bello recruited an additional 3,979 teachers in February 2023 from a pool of 22,342 applicants.
Before 2015, Kogi State’s education landscape was a cause for worry.The performance of Kogi students in external examinations like the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Examinations Council (NECO), and
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) was disheartening.
However, the Bello’s administration ushered in a transformative era. Substantial investments in educational infrastructure and the welfare of teachers and management staff have elevated the standard of Kogi students. This is a testament to the power of commitment and strategic planning.
Statistics from the Federal Ministry of Education, showed that the number of out-of-school children in Kogi State stood at 554,943 between 2014 and 2015.
Through concerted efforts, the Bello’s administration has reduced that figure to 86,803, ranking Kogi as the 9th state with the lowest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria as of 2019.
With the renewed commitment of the government under the leadership of Bello, it is expected that every school-age child will be in the classroom from 2024.
Achieving these involved investments in primary education, renovation of 833 classroom blocks, construction of 1,800 classrooms across the state, and establishment of GYB Model Science Schools in the state. It also involved training and retraining of teachers across all schools in the state.
Bello took a visionary and audacious step on September 21, 2023, by declaring free education from primary to secondary levels in all public schools in Kogi State.
Furthermore, the government committed to paying fees for WAEC, NECO, and JAMB examinations, is a testament to the leadership understanding of the importance of investing in the future.
Bello’s magic wand was also evident in putting an end to the incessant ASUU strike in the state-owned institutions in 2017 through strategic negotiation with stakeholders. The agreement therefrom stabilized and indeed normalised activities in the institutions and ensured prompt and regular payment of staff salaries. The development encouraged Bello to establish the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara after obtaining approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) in 2020. The specialized institution took off in 2021 with 245 students. On February 12, 2022, the Kogi State government disbursed N6billion to contractors handling projects in the university while construction of the college of medicine, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba for full medical accreditation was also getting final requirement.
Another deft move in reshaping education in Kogi State was the establishment of the Kogi State University, Kabba in 2023, making his administration the first to establish and nurture two state-owned universities under four years.
Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja; College of Education, Ankpa; and College of Education (Technical), Mopa are not left out too.
Hate or love him, the Yahaya Bello’s legacy in the Education sector in Kogi state is unmatched and cannot be wished away or taken for granted.
It is hoped that Bello’s successor Usman Ododo and his team will sustain the momentum on the growth of Education flagged off by the White Lion.
Samuel Igbetua wrote from Lokoja, Kogi state.
The Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, has levelled serious accusations against the party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, claiming he has attempted to utilise the party’s platform to incite insurrection in Nigeria.
In a recent appearance on News Central, Arabambi dismissed Obi’s assertions that he won the last presidential election, further igniting the ongoing internal disputes within the party.
This statement follows a significant decision made by the faction of the party led by Peter Obi, who recently announced the indefinite suspension of several notable members, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Senator Ireti Kingibe (FCT), and Senator Darlighton Nwokocha (Abia Central), citing alleged anti-party activities.
The announcement came after an emergency meeting of the faction’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held in Abuja, where members reviewed the findings of a five-member Disciplinary Committee established the week prior.
Chaired by Deputy National Chairman Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, the committee included National Secretary Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim and three other senior party officials, tasked with investigating the misconduct allegations against those suspended.
Following what they termed “exhaustive deliberation” and in accordance with the Labour Party Constitution, the NEC ratified the committee’s recommendations.
Other members suspended with immediate effect include Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, Hon. Amobi Ogah, and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.
Arabambi expressed disbelief at the audacity of Otti and Obi, stating, “How can Alex Otti and Obi claim to be chairman and secretary? They even have the nerve to write to INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) as chairman and secretary to convene a NEC meeting.”
He referenced specific sections of the party’s constitution, asserting, “Section 82(1) stipulates that such letters must be signed by the national chairman of the party, and Section 12 clearly states that any association wishing to register as a political party must have its own constitution. Furthermore, Section 3, number 222 of the Constitution forbids caretakers from managing the affairs of a political party.”
Arabambi went on to criticise the party’s leadership, saying, “They brought in Dr. Doyin Okupe; now they have turned to Nenadi Usman.” He alleged that Usman has an unresolved matter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dating back to 2015, adding, “Obi is synonymous with associating with corrupt individuals.”
He continued, “They claim to be nationalists, but they are nothing but intruders — people intent on setting Nigeria ablaze. Peter Obi and others do not love Nigeria; they require the platform to unleash chaos for political insurrection.”
Arabambi concluded, “They assert they were robbed in the 2023 election, but I am here to tell Nigerians through your station that were not rigged. The individuals Peter Obi relied upon were responsible for our electoral misfortunes.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday warned against the creation of a one-party state, saying any nation that must practice it must do so carefully and with a well-planned process and projected outcome.
He stated this in Abuja while paying tribute to the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark, at a memorial lecture and day of tribute.
Jonathan warned that any attempt to bring about a one-party state through political machinations to soothe only personal aspirations will be detrimental to the country.
The former president also called on the family of the late former federal commissioner to, among other things, set up a yearly memorial lecture in his honour to continue to push his ideas and what he stood for, which is a united, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria.
On his part, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, lamented that the labour of our heroes past was already in vain.
The former Anambra State governor highlighted the endemic poverty in rural areas, the state of insecurity, and the rising cost of living.
He maintained that the labour of people like Pa Edwin Clark had not paid off, as the sacrifices people like Pa Clark made were in vain today.
The chairman on the occasion and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, said that the task of ensuring that Nigeria remains united and indivisible must be ensured by all, as the nation could only make progress if national interest was put before any personal interest.
… Abure’s faction suspends Gov Otti, Kingibe, others
By Abubakar Yunusa
A faction of the Labour Party (LP) led by Julius Abure has suspended Alex Otti, governor of Abia state, and Ireti Kingibe, senator representing the federal capital territory (FCT), indefinitely.
The suspension was announced in a statement released by Umar Farouk Ibrahim, LP national secretary, on Wednesday.
Other members who were suspended are Darlington Nwokocha, Victor Afam Ogene, Amobi Ogah, and Seyi Sowunmi.
On May 2, the Abure-led faction inaugurated a five-member disciplinary committee headed by Ayo Olorunfemi, the party’s deputy national chairman, to investigate some members over alleged anti-party activities.
Announcing the report of the disciplinary committee, Farouk said the national executive “rarified the recommendations of the panel”.
The LP scribe said the suspended members will no longer act for and on behalf of the party.
Farouk said Nenadi Usman, chair of the LP caretaker committee, was omitted from the list because she is not a registered member of the party.
“By this suspension, these former members of the party will no longer act for and on behalf of the party,” Farouk said.
“All concerned institutions including the Nigeria Governors Forum, the National Assembly, INEC and security agencies among others are to take note.
“It will surprise Nigerians and party faithfuls that the name of one Nenadi Usman was conspicuously omitted from the list of the suspended members of the party.
“First, we have said repeatedly that the said Nenadi Usman was and is not a member of the Labour Party being not a card carrying member of the Party.
“We are aware that she is a member of the Obidient Support group that worked and is still working for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
“We will therefore not honour her with any sanction being not a member of the party.”
The national secretary said the party’s leadership had said it was not interested in any coalition of opposition parties.
Farouk said the initiators of the coalition “lack the capacity, the character and competence to midwife such a political arrangement”.
The LP is currently divided into two factions; one is led by Abure while the other is being controlled by the caretaker committee under the leadership of Usman.
Earlier, the caretaker committee constituted a panel chaired by Kingibe to probe Abure over allegations of corruption, misappropriation of party funds and anti-party activities.
Speaking at the press conference, Usman accused Abure of “persistently parading himself as national chairman of the party despite being removed” by the supreme court.