March 28, (THEWILL) – Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Friday, inaugurated infrastructure projects in six newly established secondary schools in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The schools, located in Biogbolo, Yenezue-Epie, Ovom, Ekeki, Akenfa, and Igbogene communities, cater to a combined student population of 4,628.
Speaking during the joint inauguration at Government Secondary School, Biogbolo, Governor Diri stated that his administration was focused on leaving behind enduring legacies that would speak for him beyond his tenure.
He noted that upon assuming office, he identified a critical gap in school infrastructure and subsequently approved the establishment of new schools to address the shortage.
“This decision was not misplaced, as these schools have now provided access to education for many children who might have otherwise been left out due to the lack of facilities,” he said.
Diri emphasised that human capital development remains a priority for his administration, stressing that investing in young people at their formative years would help instill the right values and skills for their future.
He urged students to maximise the opportunities provided, noting that many of his peers grew up in less conducive learning environments but still went on to excel in their careers.
“For us, this is an opportunity to serve, and we believe that at the end of the day, our work will speak for us—the schools we have built, the youths and women we have empowered, and the infrastructure we have provided,” he said.
He also listed other projects initiated by his administration, including the construction of roads, a stadium, a new secretariat complex, and the installation of gas turbines to enhance electricity generation in the state.
Diri revealed that the decision to establish the schools was driven by alarming statistics from Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, Ovom, and St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, which highlighted an unfavorable student-teacher ratio, far below United Nations standards.
“Today, we are inaugurating six of such schools. We had earlier built one at Ogbogoro and another at Swali, making it a total of eight new schools in Yenagoa,” he added.
Providing a breakdown of the student population, he noted that Government Secondary School, Biogbolo, accommodates 1,000 students; Community Secondary School, Igbogene, 361; College of Education Demonstration Secondary School, Ekeki, 450; Government Secondary School, Ovom, 883; Community Secondary School, Akenfa, 1,237; and Government Secondary School, Yenezue-Epie, 679.
To further enhance the quality of education in the state, he disclosed that his administration had approved N16 billion for school renovations and signed into law the extension of teachers’ retirement age from 60 to 65 years.
“In line with the Federal Government’s policy, I signed into law an increase in the retirement age of teachers from 60 to 65 years. This allows older teachers to mentor and transfer knowledge, values, and ethics to newly recruited ones,” he stated.
He also warned that teachers uninterested in their jobs should consider other professions, as the government would not tolerate absenteeism or truancy.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, commended the administration for transforming the education landscape in Bayelsa by expanding access to learning beyond the long-established Bishop Dimeari Grammar School and St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School.
Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers from the benefiting communities, the paramount ruler of Biogbolo, His Royal Highness Frank Amos, lauded the governor for the initiative, noting that Yenezue-Epie was getting a secondary school for the first time in its history.
Dignitaries at the event included the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere; former Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Bayelsa Elders Council, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (retd); top government officials, and traditional rulers.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
