NAN-H-33
Education
By Aledare Akinwale
Lokoja, July 11, 2017 (NAN) An educationist, Mr Ape Onakpa, has advised Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi to prioritise the development of education for the overall development of the state.
Onakpe, a former Principal, Government Secondary School, Ejule in Dekina Local Government of the state gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lokoja.
He lamented the decadence in the educational system, saying the situation required urgent and pragmatic approach from the state government.
He appealed to the governor to give attention to basic educational needs so that students could be taught necessary norms and values of education.
The former principal said the salaries of teachers should also be given priority by the government.
Onakpe, however, commended Bello for reaching out to the striking tertiary institution workers, thus persuading them to resume work.
“Students must always be in school to get the best of education.
“An education system experiencing frequent industrial action cannot offer the best service to the youths,’’ he said.
Onakpa also appealed to academic and non academic staff of tertiary institutions in the state to embrace dialogue in the interest of students and their parents.
He said they should be considerate in their demands and make sacrifice in their negotiation with the state government.
He further urged the state government to do the needful by paying all allowances and salaries of lecturers for full resumption of academic activities.
NAN reports that both teaching and none teaching staff of state owned tertiary institutions went on indefinite strike since January over non payment of their salaries and other entitlements.
The Governor of the state, Alhaji Yayaha Bello was in Anyigba on Tuesday, to meet members of the staff of the state University, Anyigba to resolve the problem.
He had earlier urged the striking members of staff of the higher institutions to call off their strike, assuring them that government would meet their demands.
NAN correspondent, who visited the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja on Tuesday, reports that students were seen returning to the institution in readiness for academic activities.(NAN)
WAL/AIB/DUA
Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Dada Ahmed