No fewer than 876 terminal secondary students from the Model Schools in Bayelsa have benefitted from a one month intensive Mentorship and Leadership training programme held at the Captain Samuel Timinipre Owonaro Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama.

The annual programme sponsored by the Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund EDTF is the seventh edition designed to prepare students for external examinations.

Speaking at closing ceremony, Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah commended the EDTF Board for sponsoring the programme for seventh consecutive times and for other lofty programmes that advanced the frontiers of education in the state.

Emelah used the opportunity to appreciate Gov Douye Diri for assembling credible individuals at the EDTF Board who think outside the box to complement the Ministry of Education.

He lauded the mentors for impacting knowledge in the students and expressed satisfaction with performance of the students.

In his remarks, Acting Chairman of the Board, Professor Francis Sikoki congratulated the students for successfully completing the programme saying the Board is satisfied with the programme which according to him justifies the huge investment of the Fund.

Sikoki said the claim that the standard of education has fallen is erroneous if the right investment and human resources are in place.

He urges the students to do their families, schools and the state proud by coming out with flying colours in their external examinations.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of EDTF, Dr. Alice Atuwo said the Fund has been sponsoring the programme over the years because participants have not only written their examinations unaided but have equally passed with good grades.

Atuwo said the presentations made at the occasion shows that this year’s beneficiaries would also perform above average in the coming NECO and WAEC examinations.

She said the only way to reward the Fund is for the students to be studious and make their papers in a single sitting including JAMB.

The EDTF Executive Secretary enjoined them to realise that with the right attitude and education, the sky is their zenith.

Also speaking, Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure, Mr Moses Teibowei, said he is impressed with the performance of the student and enjoined them to dream big.

The Works Commissioner said most prominent personalities in society had a humble background assuring them that they stand the chance of becoming future leaders with hard work.

He lauded the EDTF for working hand in glove with ministry to advance the standard of education in the state.

Highpoints of the occasion include masquerade display, talk show on the importance of holiday camping, wrestling and karate by students and award presentation to outstanding students in various subjects and sporting events.

The Commissioner of Education had earlier inspected a guard of honour by the student to bring the one month programme to a close.

The programme had other commissioners, heads of education related agencies, EDTF Board Members and other government functionaries in attendance.

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