Oshiomhole, an asset to Nigeria -Reps

The contributions of Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole to the development of modern Nigeria has been described as unquantifiable.

Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Aminu Suleiman stated this in Benin  yesterday  when he led other members of the Education Committee on a courtesy visit to the governor at Government House, Benin City.

“We want to particularly thank the people of Edo State and the Government headed by you for what you have been able to achieve. I say this because you have spent your life traversing the nooks and corners of this country fighting for and on behalf of all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, colour, creed and religion”.

He continued, “You have been a pan-Nigeria leader. At the end of the day, you accepted to come back after becoming the NLC President to become a Governor. To us, it is humility in display and I say this to appreciate the people of Edo State first for the confidence they repose on you”.

The committee said that it has gone round the state and have seen the developmental efforts of the state government.  He said, “We are here and many of us are satisfied with what we saw. Those of us who are familiar with Edo State continue to wonder where you manufactured the funds to do what you are doing in the state. Your fight against poverty and your drive for human capital development is actually second to none in the face of zero resources, because Edo State is only an oil producing state probably by name; if the resources accruing to oil producing states are anything to go by. Yet, you have utilised the little you are receiving judiciously well to further earn our respect.

“I want to say on behalf of the Committee that you have a huge followership in the House of Representatives who believe in your style irrespective of the political leaning and I think at the appropriate time when the need arises, we will make use of that political capital. The House of Representative is one classical example of a house that does and act in the National interest irrespective of the political party”

One of the persons who we truly and sincerely respect believe in the oneness of the country is Comrade Adams Aliu Oshiomhole. Praising you will tell you that you have suffered enough deprivations, denials and brutality on behalf of Nigerians and Nigerian can still benefit from your service in the next few years.

Responding, Governor Oshiomhole declared that the Education Committee is easily the most strategic in addressing the future of education in Nigeria, stating that “Primary education is the foundation of education in the country and if we don’t get it right at the primary level, we can’t get it right at the secondary level and if we don’t get it right at the secondary level, obviously, the tertiary level will be there by signboards.

He said, “We have paid a lot of attention to the issue of education. When I assumed duty here in 2008, they all talked about free education. Parents were expected and they did contribute money for payment of examination and under the guise of PTA were levies on parents to provide the basic consumables including providing for the security of schools and a lot of our schools were without roofs.

Lamenting on the state of education that he inherited, the Governor added; “the picture of what I saw was that the previous government have privatised primary and secondary education by refusing to invest in primary and secondary education and as a result of that even the poorest of the poor have to find a way to send their children to private schools.

Oshiomhole said, “If we don’t pay attention to education, this country is finished. Some of the crises we are dealing with today are the consequences of complete negligence of successive governments over the years.

“When people think because they are privileged, they can provide for themselves and their immediate family and neglect the good of the larger society, they are only short sighted.

The Governor declared, “I am convinced that it is in our interest, all of us in privileged positions to refocus public policy in a way to secure our tomorrow and invest more in education. We must redefine and revisit our concept of free education to include free qualitative education.

“I also believe that Nigeria need to have an objective conversation on education policy. Beyond politics and political divides, it does not seem to me that all of us in leadership are demonstrating enough courage and sufficient concerns to deal with these issues.