28th August, 2019

Gombe Launches BESDA project

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has launched the community engagement programme of the the Better Education Service Delivery For All (BESDA) at Malam Sidi, Kwami Local Government Area.

This was in furtherance of the Governor's commitment to ensuring the success of the scheme in the state.

The Governor performed the ceremony along side the BESDA National team, UBEC officials, UNICEF representatives as well as traditional and community leaders.

BESDA is a Federal Government/ World Bank funded project with the aim of Mopping up out of school children, improving literacy and straightening the system.

The Governor who expressed dismay over the staggering statistics of out- of -school children in Gombe state, maintained that in order to change the narratives all hands must be on deck.

He declared that he will not toy or compromise education despite the financial status of the state and competing demands in virtually all sectors.

According to him, "If you compromise education, the future is at stake. No investment can be too high on education. Our experience with Boko haram and other security threats in recent years are classical examples of the price we have to pay for our nonchalant attitude towards education".

While maintaining that no religion is against education, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya, urged parents, religious leaders and other stakeholders to wake up to the realities and encourage education for all in the overall interest of the state and for posterity sake.

He remarked that, "Reforming the education system is one of the cardinal objectives of my administration. It is only through quality and universal basic education we can give our children the knowledge and skills required to excel in a knowledge-driven 21st century environment".

There were goodwill messages from UBEC Executive Secretary, UNICEF Head of Field Operations and other stakeholders who all commended the bold step and commitment of the Governor to revolutionize education sector in the state.

Ismaila Uba Misilli
Senior Special Assistant
( Media and Publicity)