By Stephen Adeleye
Lokoja, April 5, 2024
The Kogi Commissioner for Education, Hon Wemi Jones FCIB, reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to educational development and transformation across the State.
The Commissioner gave the assurance when he received a young female author, Ms. Muyibat Ovosuahi Yusuf, during a courtesy visit to his office on Friday in Lokoja.
Muyibat Yusuf, a published writer, spoken word poet and a student leader hails from Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Commissioner expressed gratitude to the female author for her dedication to promoting literacy and empowering youth through literature.
The Commissioner restated the state government’s unwavering support to educational development, emphasising the pivotal role of literature in fostering intellectual growth and societal development.
He commended the former Governor Yahaya Bello, for dedicating 30 per cent of the annual budget to education sector, describing it as “unprecedented”.
Jones eulogised the Ex- Governor for laying a solid foundation for education advancement by dedicating 30 per cent of the annual state’s total budget to education sector, describing it as ‘unprecedented’.
He stressed that the huge 30 per cent annual budget allocation to education has surpassed the recommended 26 per cent benchmark by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
He noted that the initiative had brought about significant milestones in education sector, stressing that the new administration of Gov. Ahmed Ododo would build on that trajectory.
The commissioner emphasised on the full commitment of Ododo’s administration to consolidating on the gains recorded, stressing the importance of investing in education as a cornerstone of progress.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at improving infrastructures, curriculum development, provision of learning and teaching aids, teachers’ recruitment and training across the State.
He commended the young author for her advocacy especially in the area of girl child education and pledged continued collaboration to enhance literacy programs and cultivate a culture of learning among the state’s populace.
Earlier, Ms. Yusuf, lauded the government’s commitment to education development and emphasized the transformative power of literature in shaping minds and shaping society.
The award winning author, hinted the commissioner her new book tittled, “A Dream Like Mine”.set to be lunched soon.
She expressed optimism about future collaborations to expand access to books, promote literacy campaigns, and inspire the next generation of writers and thinkers in the State.
According to her, the new book will be lunched on April 23, in Abuja, which was written from a place of passion and the desire to add value to the society.
“The book talks about the impact of girl child education, the negative effects of bullying amongs others.
“It has also been adopted by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for all states in Nigeria,” Yusuf said.
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