Kogi govt bans children from roaming street during school hours

The Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, has warned that no child of school-going age should be seen on the streets across the state during school hours.

Bello, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade, stated this at the inauguration ceremony of the “School Adoption and Mentorship Programme”, in Lokoja on Tuesday.

According to him, education remains the topmost priority of his administration.

He said that it has become a crime, according to the state Education Law 2020, for any child of school-going age to be seen roaming about on the streets during school hours.

He urged parents to properly mentor their children and also advised the children to to be the best irrespective of their background.

“Education is the right of every child in Kogi. Education is the mother of all professions.

”Being a girl child, you must do your best. We must identity the gift of God in our children, mentor them and help them grow in life,” he said.

The governor also urged parents to give their girl child the best of education, saying she would make them and the society proud.

Earlier, Mr Wemi Jones, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, said the programme is aimed at encouraging stakeholders to boost learners’ interest in school.

Jones said that boosting learners’ interest is by adopting and mentoring students in public secondary schools across the state.

He said the governor gave the approval for the mentorship programme to help restore the glory of education and to motivate learners for improved performance.

He noted that the stakeholders would offer career guidance and values to learner and give firsthand information to stakeholders regarding the needs and challenges facing schools in their immediate communities.

”His Excellency adopted education as one of the focal areas of attention and allocated 20 per cent of the 2021 budget to Education, and further increased it to 30 per cent in 2022.

”This is a fit that is monumental and iconic in the history of the state as this surpasses the UNESCO global benchmark.

”However, a lot remains to be done, because government alone cannot do it.

”Collective effort and team work by stakeholders are required to ensure the provision of accessible, safe and conducive learning environment as well as quality education delivery,” Jones said.

He further said the programme would arm stakeholders with the information to navigate the challenges of educational landscapes on areas for intervention.

Also speaking, Hon. Moses Ododo, Chairman, House Committee on Education, commended the governor and the commissioner for taking education to the next level in the state.

Ododo assured that the lawmakers would continue to do their best in giving the necessary support to education development in the state.

The targeted stakeholders included political office holders at federal, state and local governments, religious and traditional rulers, entrepreneurs, senior civil servants, community based leaders, union leaders and old students associations. (NAN)