Bayelsa honours Jonathan, Dickson others, empowers 2,850 on skills acquisition

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State government, on Wednesday, honoured former President Goodluck Jonathan, Sen. Seriake Dickson and prominent donors to Bayelsa Educational Development Trust Fund (EDTF) as Honorary Ambassadors of Education.

Also honoured are Sen. Emmanuel Paulker, who represented Bayelsa Central for three terms, Chief Ndutimi Alaine, former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr Ruben Okoya, and Hon Fredrick Agbedi.

Others who received the awards include Maj-Gen Allison Allison and Commissioner of Police, Diseyei Nsirim-Poweigha,(Rtd)

The state also empowered some 2,850 beneficiaries of the Diri Skills Acquisition Scheme with start-up kits as part of Gov Douyem Diri’s fifth anniversary celebrations.

Diri, who presented the awards, acknowledged the foresight and courage of his predecessor, In setting up the EDTF to mobilise funds from public servants, political officeholders and donor agencies to complement government funding.

“I salute the courage of my predecessor, former Governor Dickson in conceiving and establishing the EDTF and I am impressed that we have a crop of dedicated and seasoned administrators led by Dr Alice Atuwo.

“This board has been outstanding in sourcing for funding in support of all levels of education in Bayelsa from public-spirited individuals from within and outside Bayelsa.

“The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation was amongst the pioneer donors and that is why we are honouring him alongside others for the love and unwavering support for the education of our children,” Diri said.

Responding on behalf of the award recipients, Jonathan who was represented by Dr Tobias James, noted that education remains an indispensable tool for development.

He urged the larger society to support the government’s efforts in funding public education at all levels.

Speaking earlier, Executive Secretary of the EDTF, Dr Alice applauded Dickson for the idea of attracting funds from outside governments to fund education in the state.

Atuwo also thanked Gov Diri for not only continuing with the policy but expanding it with the introduction of 1,400 boarding school students to the existing boarding schools funded by the EDTF.

Also speaking, Mrs Charity Godwin, Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa Governor on Entrepreneurship noted that the 2,850 beneficiaries were part of over 9,000 who applied for the scheme but 3,000 were selected to start the five-month training.

She said that two batches of 800 beneficiaries each had earlier graduated from the scheme and expressed appreciation to the Bayelsa governor for empowering the beneficiaries to become self-reliant.

She urged the beneficiaries to remain focused on growing the businesses to become employers of labour and to actualise the prosperity mantra of the Diri-led administration.

Diri, earlier advised the beneficiaries to shun the temptation to sell the start-up kits as they have become ambassadors of his administration.

“I pray that none of you will sell the start-up empowerment you have received today, your businesses shall grow from these humble beginnings, go and ask Dangote, every successful business has a humble beginning,” Dirimsaid. Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Precious Jephter expressed appreciation to the state government for the gesture which has uplifted them from unemployment to entrepreneurs who will drive economic development in Bayelsa.