Minister tasks journalists on basic education

THE Minister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has urged journalists to participate actively as partners in the efforts of the Federal Government to transform the basic education sector.While receiving in Abuja at the weekend the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja Council '2011 Special Recognition Award for Excellence in the Revival of Basic Education', Wike said that journalists were major stakeholders to assist the government achieve its set objectives in the interest of the people.The minister noted that as professionals with unlimited reach across the nation, journalists should monitor projects, with a view to ensuring that all government officials and contractors deliver on set goals.He said: 'I consider this award from very enlightened journalists practising in the Federal Capital Territory as special because it serves as an encouragement to put in more efforts to deliver on the goals of President Goodluck Jonathan, which remain to give world standard education to less-privileged Nigerians'.Wike, who was represented by his Special Assistant (Media), Simeon Nwakaudu, said that Nigerians should expect diligent execution of projects across the 104 Federal Unity Colleges, with the approval of a progressive pattern of budgeting for the schools.'Our efforts at the development of the education sector is born out of the President's commitment to resolving social challenges like insecurity and unemployment, using education as a critical tool. Education will continue to receive priority attention from the Federal Government', he said.He charged journalists to always consider themselves as partners in the development of the nation whenever they carry out their constitutional roles as watchdogs.In his address, National President of NUJ, Mallam Mohammed Garba, represented by Zone H Vice President, Gbenga Onoiga, said the award recipient was carefully selected after a lengthy screening process. He charged the minister to continue to work hard to develop a basic education sub-sector that all Nigerians would be proud of.Out-going Chairman of Abuja Council of the NUJ, Mr. Jacob Edi, said the special recognition award was the council's way of encouraging hard work for national development.
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