WE ARE COMMITTED TO BASIC EDUCATION: OGUN GOVT.

          The Ogun State Government has reassured the people of the State its intention at providing qualitative and affordable basic education in the quest to making the rebuilding mission a reality.
          Governor Ibikunle Amosun, represented by his Deputy Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga gave the assurance while declaring open the 55th Independence Anniversary President’s Inter-SUBEB Debate Championship at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
          Governor Amosun said the achievement recorded in education sector gave the State an edge over other states to be the first to host the debate competition outside Abuja.
          He highlighted some of the achievements in the education sector to include the construction of model Schools in the three Senatorial Districts of the State, payment of first and second Universal Basic Education (UBE) counterpart funding, pupil’s excellent performance in national competitions.
          He observed that the debate championship was apt as it served as avenue to assess the educational standard especially at the basic level, pointing out that it would assist in identifying challenges and proffer solutions.
          While charging debaters, teachers, judges and organisers of the competition to be impartial, he urged pupils to eschew social vices and embrace intellectual activities to develop themselves, emphasising that the competition was not purely an extra-curriculum activity in the school system but also a practical approach to inculcating self-confidence, reading culture, among others.
          Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman, President’s School Debate National (PSDN) Advisory Board, Prof. Jerry Agada said the objective of the championship was for cognitive development of the pupils and prepare them for future endeavours.
          He appreciated the State Government for its financial and moral support, disclosing that the State won the hosting right due to its educational antecedents coupled with the decision to honour the former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for inaugurating the debate championship Abuja 2001.
          Welcoming the debaters and delegates, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mr. Elijah Akinyemi, noted that school debate competition would improve communication skills as well as broaden the horizon of the participants to use the avenue for self-development.
          The representative, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Director, Centre for Human Security, Dr. Ayo Tella urged the debaters to argue convincingly, pointing out that the activity was a healthy one which must be taken seriously.
          In her vote of thanks, the Acting Board Secretary, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Mrs. Modupe Bosede appreciated Governor Ibikunle Amosun for his moral and financial support towards ensuring a successful championship, applauding the organisers of the programme for a job well done.