"Bauchi Govt Refutes Allegations Against Gov. Bala's Education Statement"

"Bauchi Govt Refutes Allegations Against Gov. Bala's Education Statement"

By Khalid Idris Doya

The Bauchi State Government has categorically denied allegations that Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed disparaged Western education and encouraged young people to take up driving as a career. In a statement released by the Commissioner of Information and Communication, Hon. Usman Shehu Usman, the government attributed the reports to a deliberate attempt to distort the Governor's words.

Hon. Usman clarified that the Governor's remarks were misconstrued and that he has always valued Western education. "To set the record straight, His Excellency, the Governor has never belittled Western education. In fact, he comes from a family that not only values Western education but has also played a significant role in promoting it," he said.

The Commissioner explained that the Governor's message to the youth was centered on the importance of acquiring skills to complement their education, as education alone is insufficient in today's world. "The Governor's key emphasis was on encouraging young people to go beyond mere academic pursuits and acquire practical skills that can enhance their educational background," he added.

Hon. Usman highlighted the administration's commitment to education, citing significant investments in the sector. "Bauchi State has consistently allocated a substantial portion of its budget to education, exceeding the UNESCO benchmark. Moreover, we have constructed, reconstructed, and rehabilitated over 5,000 classrooms across the state," he said.

The Commissioner further emphasized the government's investment in education, noting that over N17 billion has been spent in the sector, including payment of examination fees for students. He also mentioned a significant increase in scholarship payments under the current administration. "Our government has increased scholarship payments to approximately N945 million, demonstrating our commitment to supporting the educational pursuits of our young people," he said.

Hon. Usman condemned the distorted reports, describing them as a calculated attempt to tarnish the Governor's image. "It is evident that these reports are a deliberate attempt to create a negative perception of Governor Bala Mohammed among the people of Bauchi State," he said.