Delta activist and National Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, has emphasized the importance of Education in the advancement of a nation while urging the Delta State Government to “pay more attention to the State’s educational sector especially the riverine/rural schools”.
He also appealed to multinational oil companies operating within the area to “channel more of their Corporate Social Responsibility functions to educational development to eradicate illiteracy and reduce civil unrest in their operational areas in line with Goal 4 of the SDGs”.
Mulade spoke in Warri on Tuesday while addressing participants at opening of the annual Quiz and Essay Competition organized by CEPEJ to foster learning and engagement among students of riverine/rural schools in Delta State.
The event, according to Mulade, was aimed at bridging the gap between the riverine/rural schools and their urban counterparts, so that the riverine/rural schools can have a full taste of what they have been denied over time in terms of academic competition and exposure.
 Muladesaid,”If Nigeria the most populous black race in the world hopes to meet up with high technological advancement, as seen in other civilized Countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Canada, then the country must take education seriously.
“Education is the back bone and the live wire of any economy. Education is the bedrock of civilization. If you show me any nation that is backward in development, I will show you a nation that has less interest in quality educational advancement of the people and educational fraud and scam becomes the order of the day.’’
He also reiterated the need for “the promotion of education as the foundation for growth, development and ethnic peaceful coexistence”.
He added, “We want to use this opportunity to strongly appeal to the three ethnic groups particularly (Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo) to shun violence and embraced peace in Warri Federal Constituency and as well promote peaceful coexistence among the ethnic nationalities in the communities within the Delta State, particularly Ijaw, Urhobo, Isoko and Itsekiri people.
“The primary aim of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice is to promote educational awareness in the riverine/rural communities, and to assist the less privileged but highly intelligent students to pursue their education and career in life through scholarship support.
“The idea that our children and the next generation must be equipped and empowered educationally has been my goal. While for the government, let me sincerely appeal that as we constantly work to improve the standard of education in the country, riverine/rural areas must be given priority as it will help to advance our children and make them different from what I witnessed in my disadvantageous past.
“It is hoped that, as we continue with this effort of sensitizing, promoting and creating awareness of the importance of education, through very competitive activities other well-meaning Nigerians will join in this great desire to add value in the advancement of the youths through various knowledge based competitive activities that will stimulate learning”.
The participating schools in the Quiz completion comprised Esenaebe College, Bomadi LGA; Sokebolou Secondary School, Burutu LGA;Â Emore Grammar School, Oleh, Isoko South LGA; Akiewhe Secondary School, Akiewhe, Isoko North; Isaba Grammar School Isaba, Warri South-West LGA;Â Obodo Secondary School, Obodo, Warri South LGA; Omateye College, Ajagbodudu, Warri North LGA; and Agoloma Secondary School, Agoloma, Patani LGA.
In the same vein, the participating schools in the Essay competition comprised Ogidigben Grammar School, Ogidigben, Warri South-West LGA;Â Oloduwa Secondary School, Opuama, Warri North LGA; Aviara Secondary School, Aviara, Isoko South LGA; Oketa Model Grammar School, Ofagbe, Isoko North; Aven Secondary School, Aven, Patani LGA;Â Ogo-Eze Secondary Commercial School, Ogo-Eze Bomadi LGA; Ubeji Secondary School, Ubeji, Warri South LGA and Tuomo Grammar School, Tuomo, Burutu LGA.
