1. The Ministry of Education, Bayelsa State held an all-embracing Bayelsa State Education summit tagged “Optimizing the delivery, performance and sustainability of outcomes in the education sector”aimed at formulating a 15 year education plan, a domesticated education policy and harnessing possible education partners that took place at the Conference Center of the Nigeria Content Development and Management Board (NCDMB) from the 7th to the 10th of February 2022.
2. The summit commended the efforts of the Bayelsa State Government at providing a very appropriate, relevant and vital platform of discourse on the adequate delivery of education.
3. The summit recorded very high success rating from the beginning to the end.
4. The summit recognized the presence and the outstanding keynote contributions of His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, of the former President of Nigeria that corroborated the context of the summit with useful and practical recommendations for implementation.
5. The summit acknowledged the commitment and support of the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Senator Douye Diri in reiterating the importance and relevance of good and useful education and his resolve to provide adequate education delivery in the state.
6. The summit attracted an array of system managers from various sectors, highly placed professors, experts and technocrats drawn from all over the country, which has served to strengthen the resolve of government to project the outcomes of the summit to give the needed direction for the “prosperity government” to follow and even successive governments; The summit appreciated its partners – The Bayelsa State Education Trust Fund, Sterling Bank Plc, Bank of Industry, Shell, Vatebra Limited and Megastar Construction Limited and several other notable individuals including HRM King Alfred Diette-Spiff that gave insightful and memorable good will messages.
The summit acknowledged the high level of paper presenters and participants of heads, managers and operators of relevant national organs such as The Federal Ministry of Education, The National Universities Commission, The National Educational Research and Development Council, The World Bank, The West African Examinations Council, The National Board for Technical Education, The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, The National Union of Teachers, The National Teachers Institute, The National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration, National Business and Technical Examinations Board, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools etc;
7. Specifically, the 10 thematic areas spelt out for the summit attracted an array of eminent professors, philosophers and scholars who presented 10 lead papers, 44 topical papers, and 25 opinion speakers. Amongst the lead paper presenters in each theme were: Prof. Comfort Zuofa (NDU); Prof. Allen Agih (NDU); Ven. Prof. Mon Nwadiani (UNIBEN); Prof. Ayikamba Nwabugwu (FME); Prof. Ignatius Onimawo (NUC); Prof. Ejeh Usman (FME); Prof. Ismail Junaidu (NERDC); Prof. Samuel Edoumiekumo (VC-NDU); Prof. Olivet Jaguash (NIEPA); and Prof. Kola Adeyemi (UNIBEN). Eminent topical paper presenters from various organs and institutions included amongst others: Prof. Simon Akpama (ES-NMEC); Alhaji Ibn Musa Mohammad (President ANCOPSS); Prof. Garba Dahuwa Azare (DG- NTI); Dr. Amos Dangut (WAEC); Dr Olatunde Adekola (World Bank); Prof. Garba Dahuwa Azare (NTI); Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba (NUC); Prof. Rufa Alkali (NUC); Engr Ngozi Margaret (Dir. NBTE); Prof. Ebitimitula Etebu (VC, BMU); Prof Ahmadu Iyabode (FME); Prof. (Mrs.) Osayinpeju Edith(FME); Chief Yomi Otubela (NAPPS President); Prof. Josiah Ajiboye (TRCN); Prof. Taslim Ayobami Hammed (UI); Prof. Eunice Omoregie (AAU); Prof. Segun Adedeji (UI); Prof Ayebaemi-Spiff (STEB Chairman); Prof. Demola Jolayemi (UAT); Nelson Ejiro Akpotu (DELSU), Prof. Apuega Arikawei (NDU), Hon. Dr. Fredrick Agbedi (Federal House of Reps) Prof. Ibaba Samuel Ibaba (NDU); Prof. Mark Leigha (NDU); Prof. Taslim Hammed (UI) Prof. (Mrs.) Asiyai (DELSU); Prof. Clifford Ofurum (UNIPORT) Prof. Margaret Akpomi (Rivers State University); Dr. Grace Ajagun (DERDC); Dr. Egbujuo Chima (DERDC); Comrade (Dr.) Clinton Ikpitibo (NUT). Also, there were over 25 opinion speakers, 10 breakout team leaders, 16 rapporteurs, and over 700 registered attendees who participated and contributed in breakout discussion sessions throughout the proceedings of the summit.
8. On the whole, the summit affirmed the appropriateness of the 10 themes that were framed to discuss exhaustively on issues, problems, prospects and the way forward on: (a) access to education, (b)school administration; (c) financing and funding education; (d) infrastructural situation, requirements and needs; (e) quality assurance and quality control; (f) curriculum; (g) establishment and management of primary and secondary schools; (h) establishment and management of higher institutions; (i) standards and stipulations in education delivery; and (j) issues on teacher emoluments, incentives and motivation.
9. The Summit through the themes that were framed, reiterated the need for the critical evaluation of current educational structures, practices, objectives and principles to align them with new aspirations of government for educational transformation.
10. The summit stressed the need to mobilize support for the efforts of government to transform its education sector. It called on stakeholders to activate all relevant resolutions and recommendations towards achieving the wider objectives of the summit.
11. The summit generally agreed that Bayelsa State has taken a very bold and right step to address its educational challenges for improved education delivery. It was stated that the outcomes of the summit should be adapted, conscientiously followed and implemented to achieve the broad aims of providing a concise and workable state education plan and policy including future partnerships and collaborations.
12. The summit emphasized the need for a committee of professionals, technocrats and seasoned stakeholders to carefully examine all the presentations, opinions and recommendations to come up with the official summit report as soon as possible.
