Oborevwori Pledges Sustained Investment As Delta Hosts UBEC, SUBEB Leaders
By PAULINA NZERUBE
Oborevwori Pledges More Investment in Basic Education as UBEC, SUBEB Meeting Ends in Asaba
DELTA State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustained investment in basic education, following the successful hosting of the 30th Quarterly Meeting of the Universal Basic Education Commission and State Universal Basic Education Boards in Asaba.
The four-day gathering brought together education administrators, policymakers and other key stakeholders from across Nigeria to deliberate on the future of basic education and the need to ensure that investments in the sector produce measurable improvements in learning outcomes.
The meeting ended with a dinner and gala night hosted by the Delta State Government, providing participants with an opportunity to reflect on the discussions, interact and celebrate the conclusion of the national engagement.
National Stakeholders Focus on Basic Education Reform
The meeting was organised around the theme, “Repositioning Basic Education in Nigeria to Optimize Investments and Impact.”
The theme placed attention on a central challenge facing the education sector: how to ensure that public spending, infrastructure development, teacher support and other interventions translate into improved learning for children.
Officials of the Universal Basic Education Commission, chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards and other education stakeholders participated in the four-day deliberations.
The gathering also provided a platform for participants to exchange experiences and examine approaches that could strengthen the administration of basic education across the country.
Representing Governor Oborevwori at the gala night, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Government House, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, described the hosting of the meeting as an honour for Delta State.
He said the state was pleased to receive education leaders and administrators from different parts of Nigeria for discussions centred on the development of the country’s basic education system.
Governor Expresses Confidence in Meeting Outcomes
Governor Oborevwori expressed optimism that the deliberations and resolutions from the meeting would lead to practical measures capable of improving education delivery.
He said Nigeria’s basic education system required sustained collaboration among governments, regulatory institutions, education managers and other stakeholders.
According to him, the value of such meetings would ultimately depend on the ability of participants and relevant institutions to translate discussions into policies and programmes that improve the quality of teaching and learning.
The governor said the expected impact should be reflected in stronger learning outcomes and better opportunities for children across the country.
Oborevwori also commended the management of UBEC, led by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, as well as chairmen of SUBEBs across the federation.
He acknowledged their roles in the administration and implementation of programmes designed to strengthen basic education.
Education Remains Part of Delta’s Development Agenda
The governor reaffirmed that education would remain a major component of his administration’s MORE Agenda.
He said the state government would continue to support investments and initiatives aimed at improving the education sector.
The administration, he added, would also sustain engagement with relevant stakeholders as part of efforts to improve the quality of education available to children in Delta State.
The emphasis on stakeholder collaboration reflects the broader nature of basic education administration in Nigeria, where federal and state institutions work through different funding, policy and implementation structures.
For Delta, hosting the national meeting also created an opportunity to showcase its role in the ongoing national conversation about education development.
Delta SUBEB Commends State Government
The Executive Chairman of the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, Hon. Samuel Mariere, thanked the state government for supporting the hosting of the quarterly meeting.
Mariere particularly commended Governor Oborevwori for providing what he described as the necessary support and enabling environment for the event.
He also acknowledged the contributions of UBEC, the chairmen of SUBEBs from across the country, education secretaries from Delta’s 25 local government areas and staff members of the state board.
Their collective participation, he said, contributed to the successful completion of the four-day programme.
Gala Night Closes Four Days of Deliberations
The dinner and gala night marked the formal conclusion of the meeting.
After several days of discussions, the event allowed delegates to interact in a more relaxed setting while also strengthening professional relationships among stakeholders in the education sector.
A live band entertained participants, while cultural performances by the Delta State Arts and Cultural Council added a local dimension to the evening.
Participants also received souvenirs as part of the state government’s appreciation for their attendance.
Beyond the celebration, however, the central focus remained the future of basic education.
The meeting brought together institutions responsible for shaping and implementing policies affecting millions of Nigerian children. Its significance will therefore depend largely on how the resolutions reached during the four-day engagement influence future decisions, investments and reforms.
For the Delta State Government, Governor Oborevwori’s renewed pledge signals an intention to maintain education as a major development priority while continuing to work with national and state-level institutions to strengthen the sector.
