The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission in Nigeria, UBEC, Dr Hamid Bobboyi says the agency will continue to ensure that every Nigerian child irrespective of socio-economic background gains access to unhindered quality basic education.
Bobboyi stated this at the commencement of a two-day capacity-building workshop held in Abuja, Nigeria for SUBEB Directors of Social Mobilisation and UBEC Social Mobilisation Officers.
The training aimed at improving their mobilisation skills.
Bobboyi said the success of the said objective is to subject the commitment of stakeholders at all levels of government.
He said; “the UBEC programme seeks to ensure unhindered access to quality basic education for every Nigerian child regardless of gender, socio-economic background, or geographical location.
“You are also aware that this idea can only be attained, if all stakeholders commit to ensuring that UBE activities are well planned, implemented, and sustained at the federal, state, and local government levels.
“You will agree that achieving success in this regard demands, among others, consensus building, effective partnerships, and synergies across all segments of the UBE delivery processes.”
According to him, the workshop, which is an annual event was a deliberate plan to sharpen the officers’ skills further and challenge the effective deployment of their inert potential.
Bobboyi stressed that it would further encourage officials to carry out their functions, especially in sensitisation, advocacy, and mobilisation, even at the grassroots.
He said; “Only competent and skilled officials can successfully coordinate and provide the desired leadership in the implementation of essential UBE delivery programmes.
“Especially in advocacy, sensitisation, and mobilization campaigns, School Based Management Committee School Improvement Programme (SBMC-SIP), and the Open Schooling Programme (OSP).
“Other critical initiatives are effective School Programme (ESP), UBE Partnerships, Enrolment Drive, Out-of-School Children related interventions, and other key reform initiatives,” he said.
The Executive Secretary Dr Bobboyi was represented at the event by the Deputy ES Technical, Professor Bala Zakari.
Deputy Director of the Social Mobilisation Department of the commission, Mrs. Sidikat Shomope urged participants to come up with new ideas for better education delivery outcomes.
Shomope also urged the participants to acquaint themselves with best practices that would take the Nigerian education sector to a greater height.
One of the participants, Dr Ngozi Egbuna from Anambra State said “the workshop would open doors for cross-fertilization of innovative ideas as all the 36 States of the federation including the FCT are represented.”
Dr Egbuna said; “Some states have peculiar experiences in the management of basic education. It is here that we discuss such issues and adopt strategies and best practices that will be beneficial for all.
“Especially as we work towards bringing all out-of-school children back to the classrooms, improving Girl Child education, and improving health education in schools.”
The annual training was organised for SUBEB Directors of Social Mobilisation and UBEC Social Mobilisation Officers across the 36 states and FCT.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
