Mallam Adamu Adamu has called on the newly appointed governing board of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) to ensure prudent management of funds.
Adamu made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the formal inauguration of the governing board.
He also advised the board to ensure compliance with all relevant government guidelines and extant policies in addition to ensuring transparency, probity and due process in all its endeavours.
According to him, their coming on board is a task that needs to be accomplished.
He urged them to respect the principle of federal character in the appointment of members of staff, while promoting harmonious working relationship with management.
”My task here today is to inaugurate the NSSEC Board to show this administration’s commitment in ensuring that education is a top priority in its agenda for national development.
”Let me use this opportunity to solicit for your cooperation and to implore you to bring your wealth of experience and expertise to bear by contributing to the development of senior secondary education in Nigeria.
”You should put effective strategies in place for early detection and eradication of social vices such as drugs dealing, religious intolerance and other forms of misconduct,” he said.
The minister urged them to abide by current laws, government policies, government white papers, circulars, gazettes, and other relevant documents that would help in taking qualitative decisions.
He added that effective guidance and oversight on broad policy issues, adopting best practices, monitoring institutional projects and getting funding outside government to improve the facilities in the commission should be the hallmark of the board.
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the ministry’s request on the appointments of the board members.
Similarly, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, the Minister of State for Education, advised the Executive Secretary of the commission, chairman and members of the board for synergy of efforts in achieving the commission’s mission and vision.
Also, Dr Benjamin Abakpa, the Executive Secretary, National Senior Secondary Education Commission said the commission had expedited process of amending the NSSEC Act 1999 to align with current realities in view of critical gaps observed in the Act.
”Presently, we have concluded the drafting processes with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and have obtained the Federal Executive Council approval for submission for onward transmission to the National Assembly as an Executive Bill.
“We have started the commencement of an advocacy and sensitisation fora in the six geo-political zones, commenced data capturing and development of a template for NEEDS Assessment,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the board, Dr Nimota Akanbi, Chairman, described the assignment as “very important”, in realisation of the key role education played in human endeavours, especially in nation building.
” I am pleased to accept the position of chairman of the NSSEC with great passion quality education in our country.
”We see the appointment as a call to nation building and as a challenge to my humble self and other members of the commission to contribute our quotas to turn things around in the sector,” she said.
According to her, the agency is charged with the mandate of settingstandard for effective teaching and learning at the senior secondary school level education system, among others.
She said that though the task set before them was daunting but not insurmountable, urging them to collectively work to achieve success.
Other board members are Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, Dr Kabiru Kabo, Dr Habeeba Suleiman, Mrs Joan Ogwu and Mr Olaoluwa Asubiojo. (NAN)