From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has disclosed plans by his administration to recruit 9,700 teachers to bridge existing gap in student-teacher ratio in the state.
Governor Alia who made the announcement during the burial ceremony of Tor Jechira, Chief Clement Uganden in Vandeikya Local Government Area, said the additional teachers would enhance teaching and learning in public schools in Benue.
He said the recruitment will not only provide employment for qualified youths, but also enable the government to deliver one of its core campaign promises of revolutionalizing the education sector.
He said, “The measure will address the shortage of primary and secondary school teachers in our schools and enhance the quality of learning in the state.”
Alia called for the setting up of Young Farmers Clubs across the state to promote the engagement of the state’s youth population in agricultural production saying the government will support the clubs to access farmlands, tractors, fertilizers and other inputs.
“The aim is to ensure that people of the state especially farmers are not only self-sufficient but can smile to the bank with the sale of their farm produce.
“I enjoin the youths, women and the elderly to collaborate with this administration to achieve the level of development we all desire.”
Former Governor of the state, Sen. Gabriel Suswam acknowledged the development recorded by the Alia administration in the last one year and called for support for the government by all people of Benue irrespective of political divide.
He described late Chief Uganden as a man of integrity, whom during his life time stood for truth, peace and development of the state.
Suswam who called for prayers for the family said the demise of the Chief has created a vacuum not only to the traditional institution but also the entire state and the country in general.