Nigeria Delta students' leaders frowns over neglet on Education

By Emeka Emmanuel

The students’ leaders in Niger Delta area have met in Bayelsa State to seek a permanent solution to the lingering poor academic standard in the area. Ahanonu Emmanuel, Unical, was there and fill-in this report.

Briggs delivering a papeer during the conference

The Niger Delta Students Union Government (NIDSUG) under Tombara Michael Yalah National Presidency has organized a two-day National conference on “Setting Education as a Priority for the development of the Region”. Selectively, the conference was attended by all the National Executive of NIDSUG, region and chapter leader, SUG leaders of the various Niger Delta region higher Institutions, National Association of Nigeria Students’ leaders, academicians and high placed politicians in the region.

The event which was staged at Ijaw House in Bayelsa State had students representatives from various institutions in attendance among which is Unical, Uniport, NOUN, IAUOE, River Poly, RSUST, Oghare Ploy, COEWA Warri, Delsu Abraka, FUTA, FECA, NAOS, Rugi Poly, COHTECH, Osutech, c/c Akure, Adeyemi Ajasin in Ondo, Uniben, Akwa Ibom State UOE among others.

The first day of the event featured discussant session for students’ leaders, focusing on the various issues that affect the Nigeria states corporate existence. It was organized in such a way that all the institutions in attendance had its opinion featured.

The major discussion focuses on the Boko Haram insurgency, rocking mayhem in the various parts of the country as well as the Federal Government planned Amnesty for the sect; this, the students leaders are not fully in term with, ‘the Federal Government will invariably be encouraging crime and war against the country’s corporate existence’ should amnesty be granted.

Other vital issues which were discussed during the session include “better welfarism” for Niger Delta Students, constant payment of Bursary to all Niger Delta students (which they described as their inalienable right), and the state of power generation in the country as well as President Goodluck 2015 presidential aspiration.

They commended the president on the recent sustainable increase in power generation throughout the country. On GEJ 2015 presidential ambition, there was over an hour debate on what he has done that has carve niche for him over his rivals. The debate was settled with vote ‘for’ and ‘against’ where all present voted for him contesting for 2015.

Meanwhile, communiqué committee was instantly raised to put these students leaders resolution in paper so that it could be forwarded to the various quarters and parastatasl.

The discussant session lasted between 8:00pm to 2:30am midnight.

The next day, between the hours of 10:00am, all the students leaders of NIDSUG that participated in the discussant session the previous night converge at Golden Gate Hotel Annex, Opolo, Yenago, this time, grown in number and morale as they’ve been joined by those that just arrived from various parts of the country, all with the Conference T shirt.

Comrade Tombara handing award to Commissioner of Ijaw Affairs Dr Felix Tuodolo

This convergence was preceded by articulate move under the guidance of the National President of NIDSUG. They move from Opolo Road and Matched thro Epie, to Mbiama, till they arrived Otoi Otoi Road where NDDC building is located, peacefully they all want in.

On arrival, neither the Director General nor the deputy was around as noted by one of the senior official who spoke confidence. The NIDSUG president Tombara Michael Yalah orally presented the resolutions of the students’ leaders in the discussant session last night. The president noted that NDDC hold a great stake in bettering the higher Education in Niger Delta Region and frown on the negligence by this body in aiding the standard of education in recent time. He also presented the conference brochure and T. shirt.

Comr. Tombara noted that the students visit is not for riot but to log-in their complain on how “we the students has been neglected maybe, because we don’t wreck mayhem or carry guns like others that seek for amnesty”. He equally reinforms the body the need to be present during the conference proper and finally charges the body to live up expectation.

In the same vein, the match was extended to the State House of Assembly where the students were welcomed and commended by the Deputy Leader of the State House of Assemble Hon. Tonye Isenah who encouraged them to continue the move in a peaceful manner.

From House of Assemble, the students move to “Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board” at Revenue House, Lambert Eradiri Road, Onopa-Yenayoa. This visit seems more violence than the others as the students’ vehicles blocked the only gate, thus, pausing the movement of the vehicles in and out of the house. The securities on guard were equally at alert and persisted that the armless students will not enter the building. After few minutes when the students have grown large enough, they made their way thro the gate and troop/filled the receptionist hall, chanting one Aluta Song after the other.

Cross section of students during the event

On notice of students’ songs, most of the workers came out. When the students paused for president address, the president addressed the workers with his voice filled with anger. He noted that the board which was established to aid in reducing stress and pain from the citizenry has turn into a hostile zone where the people as well as the students will be treated like dogs as they were often barred from meeting the Board management.

In the President words “this Board which was created to ease our pain has helped in compounding it, we just came to register our displeasure and state that if this behavior continues after now, we may not take it kind. Let’s believe that this fourth invitation letter will not be ignored like others before it”. The president equally informed the board the students communiqué which the Board has a copy, which is to be given to them during the event.

The pleas of the Boards representative to the president to choose few persons to come up and meet the senior official was not accepted as all the students leaders complained to be behind time for the conference, but promised sending some representatives later.

The conference which started around 12:30pm had in attendance the Governor of Bayelsa State Rt. Hon. Seriake Dickson who was represented by the Commissioner of Ijaw Affairs Dr Felix Tuodolo who was equally a co-chairman of the occasion. Others are Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commision Dr. Chris Oboh who was also represented, Senato Ita Enang chairman of the occasion who was equally represented, The founder of Agape Birthrights Inc. Ann-Kio Briggs who was the keynote speaker of the event, The VC of Ignatus Ajuru University of Education Prof. Rosemund Green Osah-Ogulu being represented by the Husband, Deputy Leader of Bayelsa State House of Assembly Hon. Tonye Isenah who was the guest speaker among others.

In a special speech delivered by the NIDSUG president, he noted that “the theme of this programme “setting Education as a priority for the development of the region, is an outcry to redefine and redirect government, companies and other principal agencies responsible for the development of the region to priorities Education in their policies and programme.

“Questions of what the relevance of our learning process in our Universities is, to the requirement of our industries; what is the proficiency and employability of our graduates in the oil rich sector of our Nation (which we are chief contributors); and how is our local content been developed; have plunged us into redefining the desired Education of our people.

He further noted that “ it is therefore imperative to place Education beyond the university classroom Learning, to inculcate human capacity building such as skills acquisition, industrial training (IT) programmes, entrepreneurship training, ICT programmes, research Centers etc which are sure to enable self proficiency, employability and self reliance on our people” conclusively, he noted that “ we are therefore standing up against the backdrop of neglect to make frantic demand that we will push to the letters”

In the guest speaker’s address Deputy Leader of Bayelsa State House of Assembly Hon. Tonye Isenah noted that it is a pity that the leaders of Niger Delta are not fully represented in the event of this magnitude which seriously need all of them to be around.

Speaking on “Human Capital Development” Hon. Tonye noted that his greatest fear lies in the fact that human capital development is not often thought of in Niger Delta area as everything hinges in oil. He opined that “the problem of Niger Delta is the Niger Delta people, citing that things could have been better if the leaders in Niger Delta deliver on the mandate given to them.

Speaking further, the Deputy Leader noted that China is waxing strong today because it has taken cognizant of its human capital and tries to develop it. He also said that the role of Local Content board in lecturing in this type of conference shouldn’t be over-emphasized. He finally said that when such agencies that are malfunctioning are absently discussed in this type of event, the real essence may have been defeated. “We supposed to develop our own base, we cannot continue to struggle, thus, how can we handle the Power issue for Niger Delta to develop? The Human Capital must be reviewed” he summed.

In a similar development, speaking on “The need for Basic Education” the Keynote Speaker Ann-Kio Briggs noted that International Convention of Cultural and Social right 1980 and Covenant of Right of person with disability among other constitutions backed up education for all. “Without Education, the establishment of your human right becomes impossible. Without Education, it is very difficult to effect change that will enhance human development. Education provide the needed respect for democracy for law and order that gives right to all citizens” she stressed.

She finally noted that “struggle for peace and development will ever remain elusive without a qualitative education. Without Education in Niger Delta, the path to development still remains unpredicted”.

Cross section of students leaders that spoke to our correspondence express optimism and satisfaction with the organization of the event. They equally anticipate a positive feedback from both the government and bodies that will receive their communiqué as their hope hinges in the government living up to expectation as well as having Education as a priority in the agenda.

The event came to an end with some person receiving awards among which is Dr. Felix Tuodolo who was awarded life member, The VC of Ignatus Ajuru University Prof. Rosemund Green Osah-Ogulu who was given award of Excellence, Hon. Tonye Isenah as the Patron while Ann-Kio Briggs was awarded the Patroness.

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Nigeria Delta students' leaders frowns over neglet on Education