Nigeria’s former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) has commissioned the Ijaw National Academy in Bayelsa.

At the inauguration which was performed at Kaiama, Kolokumo/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Thursday, Gowon said that the edifice was good for national development, adding that education is the bedrock of any society and should be encouraged. He therefore urges citizens of the state to take advantage of the school to build the future of their children.

He commended Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa for his astounding effort put in building the school in order to make life easy for his people

 “Your contribution to education in the state will continually be appreciated. I believe this is good for future generation.”

“I urge young minds, especially those already in school, to make good use of the structure to better their future, the entire Bayelsa and the nation,” Gowon said.

In his remarks, Dickson said “the school was built to provide a platform to build young minds, also prepare them to fit into the competitive society because education is a priority in his administration.

“The gov further stated that it is for the unity of the Ijaw people. We have 1,000 students already, 900 are from Bayelsa while the other 100 were selected from other Ijaw speaking states in the country.”

The governor urged all stakeholders in the state to support his educational development initiatives to move Bayelsa and Ijaw nation forward.

Also speaking, Dr Edwin Clark, Chairman of the occasion, also commended the building of the school aimed at promoting quality education within and outside the Ijaw nation.

Clark, who identified poor education as bane of Ijaw people, urged the students to be focused in their education as future leaders.

“You must agree with me that without education, there will be no meaningful development.”

“We must do away with politics and never allow party differences destroy the good developmental plans of Gov. Dickson.

“I urge the governor, to continue to use his leadership to unite the Ijaw nation,” Clark said.

NAN