UGHELLI/Nigeria: The Delta State Government said it has doggedly demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the fact that excellence in teaching and learning cannot be attained without the requisite infrastructure and a highly qualified and professional workforce.
Speaking during this year’s awards ceremony of the late Chris Ikomi memorial annual essay competition for secondary schools in Delta State organised by NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture, the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, said that this informed the decision of the state government to continuously embark on rehabilitation and construction of schools in the state.
He said that the state government had been mightily committed to continuously improve on the quality and standard of education at all levels, saying there was a refocus on school’s curricula as an urgent response to the increasing global complexity and challenges.
The commissioner stated that though the essay competition was meant to immortalize the Late Chris Ikomi, it also served as a veritable platform for promoting the study of English Language and positively enhance the creative and writing skills among students of secondary schools in the state.
Chief Ukah thanked NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture for sponsoring the competition and called on other organisations to emulate them towards the development of education in the state, adding that the ministry was willing to accept any viable public private partnership arrangement that would enhance the course of education in the state.
The competition, which is in its 18th edition, is organised annually in honour of late Chris Ikomi, a member of staff of NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture, who lost his life in active service during the 1990 inter-ethnic crises in Warri.
In the senior category, Miss Favour Osaghale from Ughelli Mixed Secondary School, Ughelli, a public school, won the first prize, while the 2nd and 3rd positions went to Miss Favour Ohu of Orient Academy Group of Schools, Agbor, and Master Ehimen Odibo of Holy Martyrs of Uganda Minor Seminary, Effurun, respectively.
Miss Hadome Michelle of St. Georges College, Obinomba, Ukwuani Local Government Area, won the first position, Miss Okpure Excel Oboghenerona of Dayspring Christian International School, Opete, Udu Local Government Area, captured the 2nd position, while the 3rd place went to Miss Nicolette Olomukoro of Royal Mira All Saint College, Asaba.
