Onyinyechi DURU
The governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described education as the bedrock of development and a key ingredient in the reduction of crime and criminality in every society.
The governor stated this during the commissioning of Okrika Grammar School in Okrika Local Government Area, as revealed in a statement by Head of Press,
Ministry of Education, Tochi Abinye pepple.
He said his administration will continue to do its best in the interest of the state to bring development and quality education to the people adding that the key policy of his administration is education, health care and food sufficiency.
In his words “education as we all know is the bedrock of development. Education is the key ingredient if managed well, to helps reduce crim. And I believe that when all the facilities put in place in this school is put into full use, the level of crime and criminality will reduce, not just in Okrika but also in the neighbouring communities.”
The Governor called on the Diocese of Okrika Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion to see the school as their own and to protect the facilities put in place in the school.
On the current crisis in the state, Fubara appealed to other parties involved in the crisis to embrace peace in the interest of Rivers people adding he is open for total peace noting that the only both parties own Rivers State now is peace.
He emphasized that “it important at this stage that we all embrace peace. The supreme court has made its judgement and we don’t have any options than to abide by it and by the special grace of God, we have started the process. We are appealing to other parties to consider the interest of Rivers State.”
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Describing the scope of the project, the Commissioner for Education Dr Ovy Chinedum Chukwuma said the project was awarded in April 2024 to various contractors and was duly funded by the administration of His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS, the Executive Governor of Rivers State.
He said the projects consist of an administrative block, twelve classroom blocks, laboratory, ICT and library blocks, assembly hall, male and female hotels, kitchen and dining halls, matron quarters and a sick bay, principal’s quarter, junior and senior staff quarters, perimeters fencing, gates and generator house.
Others includes sports facilities and school field, internal link road and landscaping, drainages, water supply, and furnishing of the entire facilities.
The Education Commissioner thanked the Governor for releasing funds for the timely completion of the project adding that the competition of the project is a testament to Governor Fubara’s commitment to providing quality education and infrastructural development in Rivers State.
In his goodwill message, the National President of Okrika Grammar School Old Boys Association (OGSOBA) Engr. Golden Iruaynama said the School which was founded in 1940 and has produced impeccable leaders, was neglected by previous administrations but has received a face-lift by the administration of His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Executive Governor of Rivers State.
He acknowledged the efforts of the Bishop of the Diocese of Okrika Anglican Communion, His Lordship, Rt. Rev Enoch Atuboyedia
and his leadership team for sustaining the school despite the decayed infrastructure before the intervention of the Governor of Rivers State.
