By David Owei, Bayelsa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said his administration continued with some of the policies of his predecessor in order to enhance development of the state.

Governor Diri said a policy like the Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) was visionary and deserved to be retained and expanded in the overall interest of the state.

Senator Diri stated this on Wednesday at the Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) Interventions and Graduation Ceremony of the Diri Skills Acquisition and Empowerment Programme at the Dr. Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre in Yenagoa while paying tribute to his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, for establishing the EDTF.

He said he will continue to invest in human capacity building in order to develop a viable private sector in the state that is independent of government.

At the event, 2,850 trainees of the third batch of the skills acquisition programme were presented starter packs and other tools by the state government.

The beneficiaries were trained for five months in paint making, solar installation and electrical works, shoe making, soap making, cosmetology, fashion and design, catering and pastries among others.

He said: “I consider this empowerment scheme as one aspect of this administration that we will continue to do so that our people will not be government-dependent. We will have a state that the private sector can develop and you are those thar will develop the private sector.”

Diri implored the graduates not to sell the starter packs but rather put into practice the skills acquired to improve their lives and actualise government’s vision of building a sustainable future for them.

“You are the ones carrying our dreams. So do not disappoint us. Out of 9,000 applicants, you succeeded. You are building yourselves and equally building Bayelsa.”

The governor directed the Technical Adviser on Entrepreneurship Development to conduct key performance index on beneficiaries of the scheme.

He equally appreciated the EDTF Executive Secretary, Dr. Alice Atuwo and members of the board for their hardwork as well as those that have supported the fund.

He stated that his administrated had expanded the fund beyond the full scholarship for students in the model schools to now accommodate the technical colleges.

Diri directed the Commissioner for Education to ensure that the technical colleges in Southern Ijaw and Nembe local government areas were built and completed this year.

Diri, who was a recipient, on behalf of the EDTF presented Honorary Ambassador of Education Award to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senator Dickson, Senator Emmanuel Paulker and Chief Fred Agbedi, member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in recognition of their invaluable contributions.

Other awardees were a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, Maj. Gen. Allison Isaiah Allison, Arc. Reuben Okoya and a retired Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Diseye Nsirim.

Responding on behalf of the awardees, Dr. Jonathan, who was represented by a one-time Commissioner for Education, Dr Tobias James, described the award as a recognition of contributions to the growth and development of education in the state and pledged to continue to advocate for accessible and inclusive education for all.

Dr Alice Atuwo, in her remarks, said the EDTF was established in 2017 and took over the sponsorship of students in five model secondary schools,
which has increased to 11.

Also, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entrepreneurship Development, Mrs. Charity Ken-Godwins, said since 2021, the Diri administration had been transforming the lives of the youths through various empowerment programmes.

She said: “In 2021, 814 students graduated from the skills acquisition programme. In 2022, another 815 benefitted and today we are celebrating the graduation of 2,850 trainees who acquired skills in leather works, fashion design, cosmetology and other areas. These skills will instill in them a sense of self-reliance and entrepreneurship.”

She added that in 2023, the governor directed that an additional 800 Bayelsans be trained but over 9,000 persons applied and that 3,500 were eventually selected and trained.