Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Rivers South East Senatorial District re-run election has urged government at all level to accord education a priority.
Speaking as a Special Guest of Honour during the presentation of educational materials donated by Ogoni Advancement Organization Inc, to students of Marian High School and Bane Comprehensive College, Bane in Khana Local Government Area of the state, Senator Abe said education is fundamental to national development adding that except education is given its pride of place, Nigeria will continue to toddle in development.
He said other countries such as China have witnessed a high spate of development because of emphasis on education.
“When China was investing their money, giving a percentage of their money every year to support education, train their young people, in Nigeria, we were busy doing whatever we like with our money. We didn’t invest in education. That is why today we are going to the Chinese to beg”, he said.
Senator Abe promised to pay the JAMB and WAEC fees of the students in the examination class and where their parents had paid the fees; he pledged to refund such parents.
He commended the Ogoni Advancement Organization Inc, a non-governmental organization comprising Ogoni sons and daughters based in the United States of America for supporting education, pointing out that education not only helps to secure good employment but transforms the mentality of people.
He stated that his support for education in his District and even outside his District was based on his conviction in the importance of education in overall human development.
Earlier in her speech, the principal of Marian High School, Sister Helen Ojuh, had requested for assistance for enrolment for JAMB and WAEC examination, reconstruction of Science lab destroyed by storm, wiring and provision of ceiling fans in the school hall.
She had complained that some parents were withdrawing their children from the school to public schools because of cost of fees.
In his own speech, the Executive Director, Ogoni Advancement Organization Inc, Lucky Dumbor Nordee, thanked Senator Abe for finding time out of his busy schedule to support the programme.
He said,” We invited Senator Abe to come and assist us because of his commitment to education, girl-child, the people of Rivers South East and entire Ogoni. We see that he is the only person we could identify with. We appreciate what he has done in the past and encourage him to do more”.
Also, at the APC Secretariat at Bane, Senator Abe who addressed the supporters, commended the turnout of the people and urged them to always support APC.
Among those present at the occasion were Dr. Befii Nwile, the former Deputy Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Caroline Nabor, APC Women leader and Kadilo Kabari, former CTC Chairman of Gokana LGA.
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