Army pledges support to education in Bayelsa with volunteer teachers

The 16 Brigade of Nigerian Army in Yenagoa on Wednesday pledged to support and strengthen the educational system as some instructors in the Nigerian Army Education Corps, have accepted to volunteer as teachers in Bayelsa schools.

The volunteer teachers are to be deployed in areas where the school system lacks teachers to boost educational development of the state and enhance sufficient training of young people.

Commander of the 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Valentine Okoro announced the partnership of the Army and schools in Bayelsa state during the distribution of educational materials to some selected schools in the state.

Okoro urged the students and pupils to shun anti-social vices and any form of criminality and focus on their education.

He said the distribution of the educational materials is in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff which is aimed at having professionally responsive army and also to encourage students in learning.

“Today we are at Central Primary School, Epie in Yenagoa local government to donate learning materials for our students who are the future leaders. As we know, education continues to remain the bedrock of any society.

“It is in realization to this fact that we are all gathered here as part of the precursor activities preceding the commencement of the kinetic face of Operation Crocodile Smile ÍV.

“We are here to kick start a Nigerian Army Educational Support Initiative, to schools in Bayelsa state. This initiative is in pursuance of the Chief of Army Staff initiative which is premised on having a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.

“Let me quickly add, that the Chief of Army Staff places a very high premium on educational development of our youths in this country.

“Therefore, we believe that initiative as this, that we are carrying out today, will encourage a sizable number of youths and students to achieve their dreams and contribute meaningfully to the society.

“Mentoring and development of our youths and potentials in this country is a passion for the Chief of Army Staff, which has distilled into the entire life of the Nigerian Army.

” Let me use this opportunity to urge all students and pupils of this school today, to be serious with their studies, shun all criminal activities, stay away from violence and continue to promote and build good citizenry of their various societies,” he said.

The benefiting schools include Community Secondary School Otuasega, Ijaw National Academy Kaiama and Central Epie Secondary School, Opolo.

Learning materials donated include school desks, text books, mathematics sets, sports wears among others.

An official of the Bayelsa Ministry of Education , Douye Tamara who received the materials on behalf of Mr Jonathan Obuebite, Commissioner for Education applauded the Army for the gesture.