The state of both primary, post primary secondary schools and tertiary institution’s in the Federal Capital Territory FCT before the assumption of duty of Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as Minister was pathetic, as virtually both infrastructural decay , demoralized and inadequate manpower, poor funding, lack of adequate attention from stakeholders handling the activities in the FCT, except window dressing , made him to declare state of emergency in the nation’s city education sector at all levels.
Since Education is the bedrock of any development in the society, the need to give more attention to the development of Education at all levels became imperative, particularly at the initial and elementary level , since it is foundation of the early learning.
Without mincing words, the Minister , Ezenwo Nyesom Wike swung into action by directing the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) for the Federal Capital Territory FCT to embark on brisk and major reorganisation of all its activities which included infrastructural rejuvenation, repairs and rehabilitation, trainings and retraining, staff development, orientation and reorientation to meeting the present realities, as well as develop a lasting template that will continue to review from time to time the need for capacity development of the entire staffers of all cadres in the education sector of the FCT both in the academic, non academic and administration.
Having attained direct funding through TSA of the activities of FCT administration, the Minister hosted the Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC leadership and challenged them on the need to impart and impact on the development of both Basic, Primary and Post Basic Education.
He also acknowledged frequent strikes by both Primary and secondary schools teachers on assumption of duty over non payments of backlog of salaries by the six Area councils of Gwagwalada, Abaji, Kuje, AMAC, Kwali and Kwali after many failed promises and recruitment, that was politically motivated among many other demands.
Aside upgrading the infrastructure of schools in two years , including that of tertiary institutions under the FCT and the proposed FCT University located in Abaji, he ensured payment of all outstanding areas of teachers in FCT, leave bonus among many others unending demands of teachers of all categories in the FCT.
Aside funding the indigent ones directly in public schools, the Nyesom Wike led FCT recently disbursed 300M scholarship to 16,225 indigent students in the Federal Capital Territory FCT, to encourage seamless learning devoid of discrimination and natural tendencies.
The routine scholarship for the indigent students was a yearly program been executed by the administration of Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for the second time in a row.
While describing the 300M Scholarship as a scratch , he promised to double the amount subsequently and in due course.
“Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced the disbursement of N300 million as scholarship to 16,225 indigenous and indigent students of the FCT.”
“The scholarship is for the 2023/2024 award for indigent students in public schools.”
“FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, said during the disbursement in Abuja on Thursday, that the amount was just “scratching the surface”, considering the huge number of indigent FCT students in public schools.”
“Wike, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Chide Amadi, noted that education was the bedrock of any development.”
“The minister promised that the FCTA would sustain the scholarship scheme to provide educational services to the needy in the territory.”
“He also pledged that the welfare of teachers would be given due attention, including their professional development.”
“Amadi said that Wike had given approval for FCT public schools to participate in global science events and competition.”
“He identified the events as the World Robotic Festival in Houston, Texas, and the Continental Open Africa AI Championship in Cape Town, South Africa.”
“These achievements are testament of the dedication, hard work, and talent of the students, made possible by the improved teaching and learning conditions in FCT public schools.”
“In addition, Wike also approved training and retraining of teachers at all levels, including the provision of vocational skills training for students, youths, women, and out-of-school children in FCT,” he said.
Also, the Mandate Secretary, Education Secretariat, FCTA, Dr Danlami Hayyo, commended Wike for his commitment to improving access to quality education in the territory.
Hayyo said that the Wike-led FCTA had so far invested more than N230 billion on the provision of education facilities, renovation and construction of new schools.”
“The Director, FCT Scholarship Board, Mrs Hannah David, said that the board had so far provided scholarships to 146,000 FCT indigenous and indigent students since its inception in 2020.”
“According to her, the scholarship covers basic, post-basic, special need centres, Nigerian Law School, and foreign tertiary institutions.”
“The scholarship cuts across all categories of students, including students with special needs, who are given wheelchairs and other learning materials.”
David, who commended Wike for the support, appealed to other stakeholders to help the board to achieve its mandate, noting that the government alone could not do it.”
The investment of over 230 Billion on infrastructure in the FCT , just two years down the line was an indicator that more will be invested in the coming years.
Already , the Minister had approved scholarships for FCT Indigenes in tertiary institution’s and universities as a routine arrangement to encourage educational development in the nations city .
Recently , the Minister approved 4 Billion to offset payment of Minimum wage and it’s arears for FCT teachers, to discourage frequent disruption of academic and other extra curricula activities of the Education department of the FCT.
While promising to recruit more teachers to contend with the growing number of students to teachers ratio, he assured of more government attention to the Educational development in the FCT.
The College of Education Zuba was been secured with the completion of the perimeter fencing of the permanent site , and efforts are been intensified to commence both structural and academic activities at the University of Abuja , located in Abaji .
The infrastructural rejuvenation, rehabilitation and upgrade has made most of the primary, post primary, secondary, tertiary and the nation’s city owned university wearing a new look for optimum performance.
With the efforts of Nyesom Ezenwo Wike led administration in FCT and the investment of over 200 Billion in the sector in the last two years, no doubt more development will be achieved and attained going forward.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
