Govt Tasked to Revive, Fund Technical Education

Tracy Amusa

The federal and state governments have been tasked  to urgently revive technical education in the country by adequately funding the existing ones and building new ones.

An Isoko  socio-cultural group, Okugbe Enyaharo Emo Isoko(OEEI), from Delta State, who made the call, also asked governments to prioritise technological innovations as anti-dote to Nigeria’s current reliance on imported technology that comes at a very high cost.

The group equally  said  that there was enough technologically sound brains in the country to help out if only the right infrastructure and environment are created.

The President of OEEI, Mr. Amos Iwary, spoke on behalf of the members  at a ceremony in Lagos to  celebrate  the academic achievements of three Isoko youngsters The first is   Miss Orevaoghene Whiskey of Topfaith International Secondary School, Essien Udim, Akwa Ibom, who scored straight 9-As in her WAEC result and the second, Miss Michelle Ogheneserome Amarie of Lead-Forte Gate College, Lekki, Lagos, who also scored straight 8-As in her WAEC. 

The third, Master Favour Oghenero Anthony, an SS2 student of James Welch Grammar School, Emevor, Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State, built and test-flew an aero plane and a drone.

 Iwary said:  “Federal and state governments should see Oghenero as a scientific asset that they must treasure and give all the assistance he needs to flourish as an inventor and innovator. He is the future of Nigeria’s technological drive. There are many others like him.  We should not treat Oghenero the way we treat medical doctors who troupe out in droves to foreign lands because of poor working conditions. Oghenero and the likes of him hold the ace to Nigeria’s quest for development. We call on the federal government, Delta State Government and the two Isoko Local Governments to do more for education. Scholarship boards should be revived and funded to cater for bright students like these our youngsters.

“In fact, I call on the federal government to revive technical education facilities in the country and specially fund them, so scientific brains like Oghenero can be mentored to produce the great technology that Nigeria badly needs. Nigeria needs technological centres where geniuses like Oghenero can work to produce all these gadgets that we import from China and Asia. Nigeria will do herself a world of good if she began to think inwards. Oghenero and his likes have what it takes to make Nigeria truly great. We need to pay more attention to their talent and harness it for our own good.”

The awardees received N200,000 each and a plaque, with a friend of Isoko, Chief Emmanuel Eke, boosting their cash haul with N300,000.

Chairman of Award Committee, Mr. Longley Evru, an advertising guru and alma mater of James Welch Grammars School, Emevor, expressed excitement at the awards to the youngsters and tasked other youths to emulate their achievements.

Also, President of Egweya Isoko Worldwide, Chief (Mrs.) Josephine Ovuorie, said she was happy to be part of the historical event. She expressed the hope that more of such events aimed at celebrating the greatness of Isoko nation would be held for the celebration of more positive things about Isoko.

Also, the father of one of the recipients who was present, Mr. Ernest Amarie, expressed delight at the award to his daughter and two others, saying an indelible example had been set by Enyaharo Emo Isoko in encouraging hard work among young ones, as it would always bring reward. Amarie said Enyaharo Emo  Isoko had brought back that time-honoured brotherliness and fraternal code known as ‘omoni’ or ‘oniovo’ that embraces everyone irrespective of who their mother or father is by virtue of speaking Isoko.

 Amarie therefore, sued for the oneness among Isoko people, who should always see themselves as one and work for the development of Isoko. He praised the thinking behind the celebration for excellence, noting that it could only come from the excellence in spirit of a people working in togetherness for a common goal. Amarie prayed for the progress of Enyaharo Isoko, Isoko nation and Nigeria generally.