By Correspondent in Lokoja.
The Inter-School Competition, sponsored by Pharm. Abdulkareem Asuku Youth Empowerment Foundation (PAAYEF), commenced on Saturday at Our Lady of Schools Anyigba, for the Eastern Senatorial District with the Kogi State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, soliciting support to boost education in the state.
The Reporters reports that Pham.Asuku is the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
The inter-school competition, tagged: ”Reviving The Glory Of Education”,is meant to facilitate access to quality education and open opportunities for students across Kogi State, according to the organiser.
He Commissioner,who made the call at the inauguration of the competition, specifically urged well-to-do individuals and organisations to key into the resolve of the state government for effective funding of the education sector of the state.
Jones described the inter-school competition by PAAYEF,” as quite a phenomenal in the history of education in the state.
”We are glad that PAAYEF has responded to the call of the government, to individuals and organisations for private partnership in transforming education sector in the state.
“Education is a social service that requires massive funding. The government is doing a lot but government alone cannot do it.
”This is the initiative of an NGO, sponsored by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, footing the entire bill of this competition which would go a long way.
”I appeal to well spirited individuals in our society especially those who have benefited from education, to come out and support us.
”We will be glad if people that have the resources would support us in things like this that will bring back the glory days of education to our state,” he said.
The commissioner commended the Governor for showing total commitment and dedication to the transformation of education in the state.
He expressed excitement over the brilliant performance of the students at the competition.
”It goes to show that what we need is just a little bid of push and we will get the best out of our students. I am excited with what has happened today, the Commissioner said.”
The Focal Person of PAAYEF, Sandra Musa, said that the selected schools were had proven to be up to the task, without any political influence.
She explained that two schools were selected from each LGA, and three students from each school for the zonal level of the competition.
She added that the selected schools in the Central zone would hold their quiz competition at Abdulaziz Atta Memorial College, Okene, while that of the Western district would be at Saint Augustine School, Kabba.
According to her, the best three schools in each senatorial district will proceed to Lokoja for the final round of the quiz/essay competition where overall winner would emerge.
She said any student who emerged overall best would get full scholarship to university level, 2nd position to get scholarship for secondary education, while 3rd position would get a year scholarship at secondary level.
She added that PAAYEF would also be given awards and gifts to the best students, schools and competitors at the final round in Lokoja.
Our Correspondent reports that 14 out of the 18 selected schools across the nine LGAs in the eastern senatorial district participated in the quiz competition.
The quiz subjects were: English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and General Paper.
Meanwhile, the commissioner,on the sideline of the competition, took a facility tour to some dilapidated buildings in the host school, Our Lady of Schools, where he assured the Principal of the school of government’s intervention.
At the end of the competition, Government Secondary School Okenya, Igalamela/Odolu LGA, emerged 1st position; St. Peter’s College Idah, came second while the host, Our Lady of Schools, Anyigba, got 3rd position.
The three schools would be representing the eastern senatorial district at the grand finale of the competition in Lokoja.
