Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State has appealed for more intervention projects from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for its state-owned institutions.
The Governor who made the appeal during a visit to TETFund on Thursday in Abuja, stressed the importance of human capital development in confronting challenges of underdevelopment, poverty, and unemployment.
Governor Ododo who thanked the Sonny Echono-led TETFund for its intervention across federal and state tertiary institutions in the state, specifically appealed for more support for the newly established Kogi State University, Kabba.
He said the premium placed on education informed his decision to earmark 40 percent of the 2024 state budget to the education sector.
His words: “I have come in appreciation for the support and intervention we have received so far from this institution (TETFund). The infrastructural development of our higher institutions is not unnoticed.
“Education is the foundation for the development and progress of any community. As such, education is a base on which the entire structure of human development stands. We in Kogi State, education is one of our top priority. In our 2024 budget, education accounts for 40 percent. And we are implementing it jealously because once you are educated, the entire community will be placed on the path of development.
“I want to thank you for your leadership and support we have received so far on our various tertiary institutions in Kogi State. I want to thank the members of this institution; they have been of great and immense support. And I want to promise that Kogi State will work with this institution collaboratively to ensure that the human capital development of Mr President’s Renewed Hope agenda is achieved.
“In Kogi State, we will continue to partner with TETFund because you are one the the reasons why our institutions are flying high. We are going to scale up the level of educational infrastructure and empower our scholars and students.
“As it is today, we have three state tertiary institutions in Kogi State and they are all working effectively and seamlessness”.
He listed the higher institutions that have received support from the intervention agency to include: Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba; Confluence University of Science and Technology; Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja; College of Education, Ankpa as well as College of Education (Technical), Kabba.
Responding, the Executive Secretary, TETFund, Sonny Echono pledged to increase TETFund’s intervention for tertiary institutions in the state.
