Visitation Panel Proposes Higher Education Ministry In Bayelsa

The Visitation Panel for Bayelsa State Tertiary Institutions set up by Governor Douye Diri in May last year has submitted its reports with a proposal for creation of a Ministry of Higher Education in the state.

Chairman of the panel, Dr. Oyovwin Osusu, made the proposal on Wednesday in Government House, Yenagoa, when the panel presented its findings and recommendations to Governor Douye Diri.

Dr. Osusu noted that with increase in the number of tertiary institutions, it had become necessary for the state government to separate the supervision of higher institutions from the present Ministry of Education.

Osusu, who also chaired the visitation panel to the University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT), averred that if considered, the ministry would streamline the operational policies and structural administration of the state’s tertiary institutions.

He said: “I chaired the panel to the University of Africa. We worked according to the terms of reference and the report is ready. But we included two recommendations that were not part of our terms of reference.

“We realised that the state had grown in the number of higher institutions. We have five already and there is need to separate or create a Ministry of Higher Education to oversee the higher institutions and their activities.

“The Ministry of Education, as it is today, is very large, and its activities are cumbersome. So a Ministry of Higher Education will streamline the operational policies and structural administration of the higher institutions in accordance with the thinking of the state.

“Secondly, on funding, we recommended that the provision from TETFUND (Tertiary Education Trust Fund) be rotatory between BMU (Bayelsa Medical University) and UAT. That way, the two schools can benefit from the activities of TETFUND.“

On behalf of the panel, he thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve the state and expressed the hope that the government would implement the findings and recommendations.

Chairmen of the sub-panels to the various institutions also presented their reports. They include Dr. Martina Nwanyanwu for BMU, Prof. Steven Odiowei (Niger Delta University), Prof. Kingsley Alagoa (Bayelsa Polytechnic, Aleibiri), and Prof. Steve Azaiki, who was represented by Prof. Don Donbebe, for the Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama.

Responding, Governor Diri thanked the panel for diligently handling the assignment.

He equally commended Dr. Osusu and the UAT panel for its recommendations, noting that they were germane and important to the state.

The governor promised to look at the recommendation on creation of a Higher Education Ministry with his team.

On the issue of TETFUND support, Senator Diri explained that UAT had a peculiar problem arising from the law that established it.

He said the solution was not in the rotation of the funds from TETFUND but in amending the UAT establishment law before making the necessary demands from the federal agency.

He said: “On behalf of the state government, I commend the visitation panel for doing a painstakingly thorough job.

“Let me also acknowledge the chairman of the panel, Dr. Osusu, who doubled as chair of the UAT panel, for going a little outside the terms of reference.

“The issues raised are very important to us as a state, particularly creating a Ministry of Higher Education. The recommendations are very apt and we are going to take serious look at them.”

The Bayelsa helmsman said under his watch, institutions like the College of Education in Sagbama, which was without accreditation when he assumed office, now had all its programmes accredited to enable its graduates advance in their educational pursuit.

He said it was a priority of his administration to provide the basic needs for the accreditation of the state’s higher institutions as well as the facilities for a conducive learning environment and promised to put in place the required governing boards in all the institutions.

In another development, Governor Diri, also on Wednesday, decorated a newly promoted Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Samuel Debekeme, with his new rank.

He also congratulated Bolou Etete and Preye Egbe on their recent elevation to the position of Commissioners of Police.

He commended the three senior Police officers, who are of Bayelsa origin, for making the state proud through their examplary exploits in the Nigerian Police Force.

He gave the commendation while decorating Debekeme, a former Assistant Commissioner of Police, in Government House, Yenagoa.

He encouraged youths of the state to emulate the shining example of the three illustrious sons and chart a pathway to develop themselves through the various government empowerment scheme.