The National Association of Delta Ijaw Students (NADIS) has called on the state government and critical stakeholders in across the state to find solutions to the decaying state schools in rural areas.
The above led conversations during a one-day summit with the theme “The Pathway in Securing The Future of The Creek Child (Rural Education)”.
The summit held on Monday August 21, 2023 at the auditorium of the Delta State School of Marine Technology, Burutu.
In his address, NADIS President, Comrade Festus Ayigo listed the many challenges pupils and students alike face in their pursuit of education.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
Ayigo lamented that quality education appear far from a reality as students study under severe conditions, not forgetting the unavailability of teachers and learning equipment.
He said;
“The major aim of the students summit is to engage political leaders and critical stakeholders across Delta ijaw communities to discuss and deliberate on the possible solutions to the ugly and dilapidated state of the rural education in the creeks.
“The poor state of the rural schools in the creek accompanied by unfavorable political atmosphere facing the students community was the key factor that attracted the the ONE DAY STUDENTS SUMMIT.
“Nigeria, as one of the largest economy among the African countries, is still a developing nation, this indicates the need for reforms that will bring about technological development.
“For Nigeria to become developed State there is a need for improvement in the quality of education especially in the (Creeks) where a large chunk of the state population resides.
“The schools in the creeks of Delta ijaw lack the necessary infrastructure, such as teaching aid, conducive atmosphere, qualified teachers and other necessary needs for improving this sector.
“Difficulty in accessing good education has made the residents of the rural areas, such as Delta Ijaw communities feel greatly neglected and has made our youths and young ones see education as non important regarding the fact that we are faced with one challenge or the other each time we take steps on acquiring not just education but other possible qualities and benefits.
“In the Nigeria’s National Policy on Education (FRN 1998), it is stated that the Federal Government has adopted education as an instrument for effecting National Development in all areas of the nation.
“However, this does not reflect the situation in rural areas like the creek where there is overwhelming widespread of illiteracy. It is common knowledge that majority of the population in developing countries like Nigeria live in rural areas.
“Delta state is predominantly a rural society as the vast majority of her population live in rural area. Generally, rural areas in Delta state across Delta ijaw communities are incessantly neglected by the State government when it comes to development of any form, educational development inclusive.
“It’s very sad to even note that, the Niger Delta and the south South rural dwellers of this country and by retrogression the Ijaws of Delta state despite being the nation and state’s source of wealth with its massive supply of crude oil is totally unrecognized and underdeveloped.
“More sad is that our children can’t even afford or acquire proper education even as a people that contribute the major source of wealth in the state and county at large.
“The under-development in Nigeria as a country has been linked to lack of development in the creeks. But the big question remains, what is the solution to all this? how and when are we going to have access to good education, how and when will our villages and homes as a people that contributes the major part of the nations wealth can be developed?
“As students bodies across the Delta Ijaw Students community We can’t continue to fold our arms and keep complaining, it’s high time we do what we can do to tackle the issues on ground.
“That’s why today, it’s important we know the roles each an everyone one of us can play to rejuvenate and revitalize the already awful situation of things in the creek.
“This is a collective responsibility that will require the involvement of Delta ijaw political leaders, youths, community leaders, traditional rulers, student leaders in securing the future of the creek child education.
“Hence, we are calling on Political leaders Across Delta ijaw extra-diction in the state to make education their priority.
“We are also calling on Delta state government Led by H.E Sheriff Francis Oborevwori to critically Developing the schools in Delta ijaw communities Especially the Delta State School of marine Technology that have bwe will no longer fold our hands and open our eyes to watch the state government used our wealth to develop Non Oil Producing Ethnic Nationalities in the state.”
