The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard as part of it’s Operation Delta Sanity III has distributed educational materials to over 500 primary school pupils and students of UBE junior secondary in Banda communities, Lokoja local government area of Kogi State.
Commander NNS Lugard , Commodore Tamuno Senibo who performed the symbolic presentation of the materials to the beneficiaries at LEA primary school Banda on Wednesday, said the programme was part of the social responsibility to Banda community that hosted NNS Lugard.
According to him , aside the distribution of educational material, the NNS Lugard also embarked on unveiling of remodeled LEA primary school signpost, minor renovation work on some classrooms and basic security awareness talks among others.
Commodore Senibo who described education as the cornerstone of progress and development in any society, hinted that education empowers individuals, transforms communities, and opens doors of opportunity that would otherwise remain closed, noting that investing in education is an investment in the future of a nation.
“Today marks a special occasion as we gather not only to celebrate education but also to underscore the importance of nurturing young minds and empowering future leaders. Education is not just about Classrooms and textbooks; it is about fostering curiosity, igniting passion, and opening doors of opportunity.
“So, we at NNS Lugard under the auspices of Operation Delta Sanity III and guidance of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla recognize the pivotal role that education plays in national security and sustainable development.
“Through initiatives like today’s Education Rhapsody, we aim to enhance educational outcomes, promote academic excellence, and cultivate a culture of learning that is without limit.
“Through our non-kinetic line of operations, we have come here today with a mission to complement your learning environment and support your educational journey. This we intend to do by bringing to you teaching aids, books, and writing materials that we hope will inspire you to reach for greater heights and achieve your dreams
“As we embark on this education rhapsody together let us remember that knowledge is power and with it comes great responsibility. Each of you has the potential to make a difference not just in your own lives, but in the lives of those around you and in the future of our great nation” the Commander stated.
In his keynote address, the special guest of honour and the Kogi state commissioner for education Mr Wemi Jones, commended the NNS Lugard for giving back to their host community through the massive support in education, noting that the state government and the ministry of education would not take the effort for granted.
“As a ministry we are poised to provision of quality education. Since 2016 Kogi state government has been allocating 30 per cent of it’s annual budget to education sector this effort enable the government to conveniently run three state universities without hitches aside the free education we also embarked upon for public primary and secondary schools in the state” he explained.
In his presentation of basic security awareness, the NNS Lugard Base Intelligent Officer (BIO) Lieutenant Commander Yahaya Al-Mustapha charged the pupils and junior secondary schools students to report any strange faces around their school premises to their teachers and also cautioned them against taking any thing that does not belong to them.
