Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund(TETFund), Arch Sonny Echono says the Fund, apart from its other interventions, is working to provide security infrastructure for public tertiary institutions in Zamfara State.
Echono who was speaking in Abuja when the governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal paid him a courtesy visit, said that the project has commenced in one of the tertiary institutions in the state and will extend to the others soon.
While describing Zamfara State as a highly resourceful and potential state, Echono stated that the Fund will do everything in its power to ensure that the potentials in the state are harnessed for the good of everyone.
TETFund boss also commended the past governor of the state, Bello Muhammed Matawalle for the strives he has taken to ensure that education in the state becomes a priority adding that now more candidates are registering for the Unity Schools common entrance and WAEC examination unlike in the past when the state usually has the least number of candidates being registered.
“Some years back, Zamfara used to have the least number of candidates to register for the Unity Schools Common entrance and WAEC. We went there and spoke to the governor and it worked magic. The next year, they moved to 12th position,” he said.
While congratulating the governor for winning the election , he expressed his delight that Lawal was committed to human capital development through education adding that with the governor at the helm of affairs, the Fund’s desire and current plan for the state will definitely be fruitful.
“We congratulate Zamfara for making the right choice. We will do everything we can to help. We extend our hands of fellowship and partnership,” he said.
Earlier , Governor Lawal stated that he was in TETFund to commend the Fund for the many interventions in the state that has helped in education building adding that TETFund’s footprint is seen everywhere in the state.
He however stated that the State was not doing too well due to insecurity and limited resources and pleaded with the Fund to assist the state to ensure that education in the state is not overly affected due to insecurity.
“Zamfara is not doing too well due to the insecurity. During my campaign, I promised my people that I will take care of insecurity in the state which is my first priority, and my second is education. Without education, we will not be able to achieve anything.
“We however have our limitation which is lack of resources. This is why we are here; a place that help will come from. You are doing well but you can do better. We are Oliver Twist, we will still come back asking for more. We have outlined some of the things we want you to come in and do for us which I will be handing over to you,” he said.
Answering questions from journalists, the governor stated that his administration has also identified challenges in both its basic, primary and secondary education and is working with relevant partners to tackle them.
He added that the state is also enlightening the people on the importance of education in order to change the narrative and ensure that Zamfara State will compete well with other states in the area of education.
“We have worked on the mindset of our people. We are enlightening people to know that without education, they can’t do anything. We are doing a whole lot to make people understand that education is the key to development,” he said.
