Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa. Photo: Twitter-@IAOkowa
Delta Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has identified rising
insecurity, poor power supply as the bane of industrialisation and
economic growth in Nigeria.
The governor stated this on at an interdenominational
thanksgiving service to mark the 29th anniversary of the creation
of Delta at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter (Anglican Communion),
Bishops Court, Asaba.
He said that industrialisation of Nigeria was one good strategy
to grow the nation’s economy, but observed that “challenges are
actually so much that in the world today when you talk about our
nation Nigeria, it’s like there is a question mark that follows and
tends to limit the investing public from coming to us.
“The challenges of insecurity which is very key and very
importantly, challenges of power failure which is also very
significant limit industrialization.
“But, we must put our trust in God and allow Him to lead us
because His wisdom is greater than the wisdom of the world.”
Governor Okowa acknowledged the benefits of a new state and said
that Asaba and the entire state would have been less-developed than
it is today if the state had not been created.
Brighter Days Ahead
He thanked religious leaders for their prayers for the state and
the people, saying “brighter days surely lie ahead of our
people’’.
The governor recalled that “29 years ago, this state was created
out of the former Bendel State; we all rejoiced and we still
rejoice till date. The Lord has done great things for us as a state
and as a people in the past 29 years.
“I recall that even with the creation of the state and the joy,
there were challenges that came with it. But 29 years later, we
have realised that staying together we are able to develop our
state, ourselves and our families, and to God be the glory.
“It is important that we continue to stay together because we
have achieved reasonable peace and unity.
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“When I recall at the creation of Delta state how Asaba was and
what it is today, we can definitely say that we have had lots of
changes and as a nation we have had our challenges and today, we
have more challenges than we ever had and we cannot wish ourselves
away from the Nigerian nation because we are part and parcel of the
Nigerian nation.”
It is my fervent hope and prayer, that we
will continue to build on the foundation that has been built in the
past, in order to secure a greater and more stable future for the
generations that are still to come. pic.twitter.com/cKQaverI8s— Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa (@IAOkowa) August 27, 2020
“Challenges of the time, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, have
suppressed economies of the world. The nation is troubled and Delta
State being part of the nation, is also troubled and I believe that
there is only one way we can distinguish ourselves in a nation that
is challenged as we found ourselves.’’
‘Move On’
In his sermon entitled “Break camp and move on”, Archbishop of
Bendel Province, The Most Rev’d Cyril Odutemu, said that Delta had
achieved a lot from creation, but called for serious efforts in the
industrialisation of the state.
“We have crossed the hurdles of tribal crisis and we are moving
to the promise-land even though we are yet to arrive where we
should be.
“We must break camp in the industrialisation of Delta State and
in doing so, we must see every Deltan as brother and sister for the
sake of our dear state,” he stated.
The thanksgiving service featured prayer sessions for the nation
and the State as well as for all those in the position of
authority.
After Arewa Agenda Report, Kano Govt Plans to Build 127
Girls Secondary Schools
Following a story published by Arewa Agenda about an eroded Kano
Village where no single girl ever attended secondary school, the
Kano State Government have disclosed its plans to build 127 Girls’
Secondary School.
The Kano State Commissioner of Educatrion, Hon. Muhammad Sunusi
Kiru who made the disclosure in audience with Arewa Agenda press
crew, said the the project would comprises of 72 Junior and 55
Senior Secondary Schools.
The Commissioner further revealed that the State Government is
also in the process of renovating dilapidated schools across the
State and employing more teachers to meet demand especially with
the State’s policy on free and compulsory education from primary to
secondary schools.
“As I am talking to you, a committee of works under the
leadership of Dr. Danlami Gwarzo is leading this initiative, they
are visiting all primary and secondary schools in the state that
are in a dilapidated state and engineers are doing the needed
evaluations. Right now, we are constructing seats for primary
school pupils and we have initiated a new programme where about
10,000 girls in primary school will benefit from a scholarship
scheme.
“We have even opened accounts, issued ATM cards forv direct
payments to the beneficiaries. We will monitor the scholarship
closely to ensure funds are not diverted, we are going to seek
partnership with the State’s Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption
Commission, PCACC, under the leadership of Barrister Muhuyi Magaji
Rimin Gado.” He said.
With about 1,600 secondary schools in Kano State, the
Commissioner said the government is giving priority to girl child
education and partnering with international bodies including the
world bank for support of the project.
He said currently, the government initiated Girl-Child buses for
affordable transportation for pupils and students in the state.
“There are factors affecting the girl child education one of
which is economic factor, some people cannot afford the cost of
transport to school for their children, so we provided the girl
child buses where we subsidized it, a distance that cost NGN500 for
example, we take NGN100, you can see the buses.
“We have also agreed to build new Junior secondary schools
because primary schools are mostly close to homes. As you may be
aware parents are sometimes apprehensive about sending a girl child
far off. In fact some do not allow their female children to go to
boarding schools because of distance. We are providing solution
that will directly impact on communities,” he explained
While appreciating the team of from Arewa Agenda for its
investigative reports towards a better society, the Commissioner
assured them of his support and cooperation in their journalistic
endeavours.
Recall that Arewa Agenda had reported that a Kano village with a
population of about 5,000, had no no single girl that ever obtained
a secondary school certificate while the boys that managed to
graduate from tertiary institutions are less than 20 in year.
Situated in Dan Yashi village, Karofin Yashi Ward, Rimin Gado
Local Government of Kano State within the geographical coordinates
11° 52′ 55″ North, 8° 20′ 37″ East, Dan Yashi is largely affected
by erosion and the town has only two canoes used to cross the
stream as the only means for residents to enter their village
through Rafin Dan Shayi.