Bayelsa State on Wednesday, honoured former president Goodluck Jonathan, former Governor Seriake Dickson as education ambassadors for their contributions to the state’s education sector.
Others honored at the occasion where 2,850 slilled trainees of Senator Diri Skills Acquisition and Empowerment Programme, who received starter- packs and enabling tools, and former Managing Director the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Timi Alaibe, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, and Rep. Fred Agbedi, the member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, among others.
At the ceremony held under the auspices of the Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF)at the Gabriel Okara Cultural Center in Yenagoa, Governor Douye Diri, said his administration continued with some of the policies of his predecessor in order to enhance development of the state.
Gov. Diri said a policy like the Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF), was visionary and deserves to be retained, and expanded in the overall interest of the state.
He said he will continue to invest in human capacity building, in order to develop a viable private sector in the state that is independent of government.
The beneficiaries were trained for five months in paint making, solar installation and electrical works, shoe making, soap making, cosmetology, fashion and design, catering and pastries among others.
Gov. Diri said: “I consider this empowerment scheme as one aspect of this administration that we will continue to do so that our people will not be government-dependent.
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“We will have a state that the private sector can develop and you are those thar will develop the private sector.”
He implored the graduates not to sell the starter- packs, but rather put into practice the skills acquired to improve their lives, and actualise government’s vision of building a sustainable future for them.
“You are the ones carrying our dreams. So do not disappoint us. Out of 9,000 applicants, you succeeded. You are building yourselves and equally building Bayelsa,” he said.
The governor directed his technical adviser on entrepreneurship development, to conduct key performance index on beneficiaries of the scheme.
He stated that his administrated had expanded the fund beyond the full scholarship for students, in the model schools to now accommodate the technical colleges.
Responding on behalf of the awardees, Jonathan, who was represented by a one-time Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tobias James, described the award as a recognition of their contributions to the growth, and development of education in the state, and pledged to continue to advocate for accessible and inclusive education for all.
