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| Dr Stephen Odey(middle) in company with members of OMPAN CRS |
Our Correspondent|15 June 2018
The Executive Chairman of the State Basic Education Board SUBEB, Dr. Stephen Odey has commended the On-line Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria OMPAN, Cross River State Chapter for their determination in upholding the tenet of balanced reportage and assured them of a robust working relationship.
Dr. Odey who made the commendation when the Association paid him a courtesy visit in his Office in Calabar maintained that such relationship will further bolster healthy bond between the Association and the Board.
He said that as the fourth estate of the realm, it behooves on the Association through the various medium to make every effort to avoid sensational reportage that can paint the board, its activities and the society at large in negative lights.
The SUBEB boss maintained that on assumption of office about three years ago, so many negative things were pedaled about him in other to cast aspersions on his reputations but his determination to succeed has brought about far reaching reforms in the board which has given Education a face-lift in Cross River State.
According to him, I came on a rescue mission in the Education sector of the State. When I came and discovered that some things in the system were not right, I immediately embarked on the controversial screening of teachers with fake certificates and this attracted so much dusts. He revealed that the personnel audit uncovered over 1,400 teachers with fake certificates and most of the victims have gone to upgrade themselves after that.
He said that the Board has been able to construct about three hundred and thirty seven schools across the State, built sick bays in some schools, construction of ICT centres and fenceing some schools as a measure to enhance security.
Dr. Odey commended Governor Ben Ayade for his uncommon financial support to the board especially the provision of 1.2b naira matching grant and maintained that SUBEB operates strict due process in its operations.
On the Cross River State Water Board, the Executive Chairman revealed that he was posted there by Governor Ayade to sanitize the system because of his tract records and that he has started yielding results that will revamp the corporation.
For instance he maintained, after proper auditing, weve been able to save over a hundred million naira as monies being paid as salaries to the staff. He further reiterated that he has ensured that the 500 contract staff that were being hired by the corporation are being absorbed as permanent staff and that they were currently being documented. He assured the association of unfettered access to relevant information that will be of public interests.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of OMPAN-CRS Mr. Efio-Ita Nyok said the purpose of the visit was to intimate the Executive Chairman of the existence of the association and to strike a synergy that will enhance a healthy working relationship.
He said that the association were quite impressed with his achievements, hence the visit. The chairman noted that as a critical stakeholder in the educational sector of the state, SUBEB was contributing significantly to the sector especially in the area of infrastructural and manpower development.
Comrade Efio-Ita who assured the Chairman of the Support of the Association especially in the area of publicizing its activities however solicited the cooperation of the board by providing the right information.
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