Rabiu Omaku
The Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board, Yakubu Ahmed has affirmed that the state governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has paid a whooping N4.3bn as his counterpart fund to the Universal Basic Education Commission.
Ahmed stated this when the Correspondent’s Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Paid him a familiarization tour, he said the gesture of the state governor to settle the backlog of counterpart was to ensure the total implementation of basic education in the state.
Saying the state governor has passion for education in the state, Yakubu Ahmed said the press plays a fundamental role in uniting the nation as well sustaining peace in the society.
He commended the new crop of executive of the Chapel, calling on Journalists to maintain the existing relationship between the board and members of the fourth estate of the realm.
While fielding question on the shortage of furniture in public schools said the state directed the Nasarawa State Vocational and Relevant Technology Board to distribute furniture to Junior Secondary and Primary schools in the state.
Ahmed said the gesture and the directive of the state governor to distribute the seats was to tackle the shortage of chairs and desk in public schools, saying “furnitures are lying at the warehouse of the relevant Technology.
Speaking on the number of public schools, the executive Secretary averred that 1,347 primary schools with a staff strength of 19,165 teachers and non-teaching staff, adding that classroom teachers constitute 15,000 while non-teaching staff constitute about 14,000.
He further hinted that the expansion, renovation and construction of new classrooms and schools would be extended to the rural area, commenting on the request of the Nigeria Union of Teachers to move the payment of primary teachers; the executive secretary opined that the board is still waiting for the ministry for local government.
The chairman of the Correspondent’s Chapel, Suleiman Abubakar sued on the need to cement the dwindling relationship that exists between the board and the Chapel. He also commended the state government for paying the backlog of her counterpart fund to UBEC.
“We will always report the society the way it is, he further added.
A member of the Chapel,Samson Osua of Oracle newspaper in a vote of thanks appreciate the gesture and olive branch of board, assuring the board that the existing relationship will continue.
