Delta 2019 Budget: NANS Kicks Against Poor Budgetary Allocation to Education

…Calls on Governor Okowa To Save Education In Delta State.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Delta State Axis has conveyed a protest letter to the State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa articulating their disapproval of the meagre sum voted for education in the proposed 2019 budget of Delta State.

The Students’ body which frowned at the disparity in the 8% budgetary allocation to education for 2019 as a against the recommended minimum 26% by UNESCO, said it was disheartening and called on the State Government to make basic and secondary education tuition free, in order to encourage students back to school and make good the future of Delta State.

Comrade Dio Oghale Emeka Rex, Chairman, NANS /JCC Delta State Axis who led a team of Student leaders on a courtesy visit to the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, amongst other demands, prayed for a synergy with the Press in the State to assist them amplify their demand for an upward review of the budgetary allocation proposed for education.

According to Comrade Rex, “We want to passionately call the attention of NUJ Delta State chapter to our demand to the government of Delta State to review upwardly the percentage allocated to education in the 2019 budget and to introduce free education for basic and secondary school in Delta State. As you are all aware, the amount allocated to education in Delta State 2019 budget amounts to 8% of the total budget as against the 26% recommended by the UNESCO which is currently not good for our education sector. You will also agree with me that to promote education and to encourage students back to school, the government needs to make basic and secondary education tuition free.”

The letter to Governor Okowa which copied the SSG, Hon. Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Commissioner for Higher Education, SA to Governor on Students Affairs, PA to Governor on Students Affairs, Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Director, Department of State Service, Delta State Service Command and NUJ, Delta State Council as co-receipients, was obtained by Asaba Metro and reads below.

His Excellency,
Sen Dr Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa,
Executive Governor,
Delta State.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN STUDENTS, DELTA STATE AXIS DEMANDS PROMPT ACTION TO SAVE EDUCATION IN DELTA STATE

We humbly wish to demand for your Excellency’s prompt actions to save education in Delta State.

2. Your Excellency, Nigeria has the highest number of out of school children in the world with about 13 million children being out of schools. Poverty has been identified as the major reason for this outrageous figure.
3. The government is expected to be seen taking deliberate steps to improve on education.
4. Your Excellency Sir, it is therefore very disheartening to realize that only 8% percent of the 2019 budget was allocated to education as against the 26% percent minimum allocation for education recommended by UNESCO.
5. The leadership of Nigerian Students in Delta State therefore reject in totality, such meager allocation for education. It is not acceptable to us and we shall resist it by all means possible.
6. We therefore demand an upward review of the budget allocated to education in the 2019 budget by your Excellency.
7. We also demand that your Excellency declares a State of Emergency on Education and Adopt free education policy in public basic and secondary schools in Delta State.

 Thank you, your Excellency as we look forward to a prompt consideration and approval of our demands.

Signed;

Dio Oghale Emeka Rex
Chairman, NANS /JCC Delta State Axis.

While assuring NANS of an unalloyed partnership and support, the State Chairman, NUJ Delta, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu said, “you have taken a bold step towards partnering with NUJ Delta State Council as you requested. I want to give you the assurance that, anytime, anyday that you need the NUJ, our door is open to NANS. You should also approach the State House Assembly and its committee on Education to further press home your demands on the allocation to Education in the 2019 proposed budget.”