LAGOS FEBRUARY 25TH (URHOBOTODAY)-It is generally agreed by Nigerians that the standard of education in the country has fallen. Stakeholders have called on government and others to act in order to reverse the situation.
However, primary education in Uvwie Kingdom received a boost recently as “Maduviekeyare” (wives of chiefs) in Uvwie made a donation of 2,500 copies of designer notebooks to some primary schools in the area.
Making the presentation at a brief and impressive ceremony at Ogbe Primary School, Effurun, secretary of the group, Mrs. J.A. Ikolo, stated that the gesture was aimed at encouraging pupils in the area to study hard.
She expressed gratitude to HRM Emmanuel E. Sideso Abe I the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, for his passion for the education of Uvwie sons and daughters, which she said was the motivating factor behind the gesture.
In his address, Chief Tene Omadide, the Usevwre r’ Ogbe, who represented the Ovie of Uvwie at the event, commended the wives of the hiefs of Uvwie Kingdom for the gesture and urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the notebooks.
Another chief of Ogbe quarters, Effurun, Ibeke, noted that education is a priority of the Uvwie monarch.
However, Chief Gibson Erifevieme, in his contribution, noted that the gesture of the chiefs’ wives’ would help in assisting parents and guardians of the beneficiaries in the provision of notebooks.
In a chat with newsmen, a palace chief in Uvwie, Chief Kenneth Agbamu, advised the benefiting schools to ensure that the notebooks were used for the purposed forf which they were donated, as he advised parents and guardians not to leave the responsibility of child up bringing to schools alone, noting that children spend more time with their parents and guardians at home.
“So parents should always live up to their responsibility of bringing their children, for indiscipline starts at home,” he said.
The chief inspector of Education in Uvwie Local government Area, Onojaiyefe S. A, who expressed gratitude to the women for their gesture, warned that government has zero tolerance for indiscipline in public schools, particularly Illegal collection of fees and levies. While calling for support and prayers from all stakeholders in the education sector in Uvwie, he promised to transform Uvwie in terms of education.
Pastor Mike Avwerono, the headmaster of Ogbe Primary School, who presented an address on behalf of Ogbe and Okotogbo primary schools, hailed the women for their donation and expressed gratitude HRM Abe I for his concern for education.
He, however, asked that both schools should be provided with basic infrastructure that will enhance learning.
The event also featured cultural dances by pupils of Ogbe Primary School.
High point of the event was the presentation of the notebooks by High Chief Omadide to both primary schools.
The other primary schools in Uvwie that benefited from the gesture of the women were Ojagbugbe Primary School, Ugborikoko, Alegbo Primary School Effurun, Okugbe Primary School Ekpan and Ugbomro Primary School.