GOVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has said, his government’s heavy investments in education helped to drastically reduce militancy and insecurity in the state.
He noted that the Restoration Government under his watch has so far invested N70billion on education in the last six years, while education would continue to assume a top priority in the state.
This, Dickson said when the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukuru Buratai paid him a courtesy visit in government house, Yenagoa.
He said that the huge investment made in the education sector has paid off, as the state hitherto educationally disadvantaged state now ranks among the first best states topping the education chart in the country.
Besides, the progress made in educational advancement, the state is also one of the most peaceful states in the country.
Said he ‘’we fight insecurity in vain if we don’t first educate our people, particularly our youths to be empowered enough to reason beyond their nose, to properly know and situate the evil of crime, criminality and insecurity in the society.
Continuing, ‘’In Bayelsa, we deliberately democratise knowledge by sponsoring many Bayelsans and Ijaws outside the state, by building world-class educational infrastructure, more and more schools across the state and making education free and compulsory with boarding facilities.
The Governor posited that without addressing illiteracy, it would be difficult for army state, country or society to effectively tackle militancy and other security challenges bedevilling peace and progress in the country.
Dickson, who kick-start the groundbreaking and foundation laying ceremony of the 16 Brigade Barracks of the Nigeria Army in Yenagoa, lauded the level of security in the state that was made possible by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Buratai.
The Governor also called for more collaboration between the state government and Nigeria Army on security.
He commended the Chief of Army Staff for the establishment of 16.
Brigade as well as the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian Engineering Corps at the Agge Deep Seaport, which he noted, would enhance security and investments.
The Governor also noted: “I am pleased with what the Nigerian Army is doing in terms of security in the state and its development efforts at the Agge Deep seaport, which we are building to enhance our economic and tourism potentials.
“Going forward, we will like to work with the Nigerian Army to undertake in the building of low-cost houses, bridges and other developmental projects.”
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In his remarks, Lt. Gen. Buratai commended Governor Dickson for his giant strides in the development of the state, particularly in security, education and infrastructure.
Lt. Gen. Buratai also lauded the Governor for providing the enabling environment for security agencies to operate, assuring the state government of his continued support to ensure that, Bayelsa continues to remain one of the safest states in the country.
He said: “I congratulate you on your giant strides in the development of Bayelsa. You have done a lot in the area of supporting security agencies, making Bayelsa one of the safest in the country and infrastructural development, especially your new Government House Complex, where we are having this courtesy visit.”
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