AN HONOUR DESERVED

Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is without doubt one of the most outstanding Ministers of the Federal Republic under the present dispensation. He is one of the leading lights of the Jonathan administration being the principal supervisor of some of the administration's flagship achievements.

Those who have worked closely with Barrister Wike eagerly attest to his commitment to national development through hardwork, close supervision of subordinates and collaboration with contemporaries to achieve desired results.

Since he was appointed Minister of State for Education, Barrister Wike ensured that it would no longer be business as usual. He changed the story of the education sector, introducing high level performance every step of the way.

In August 2011, Barrister Wike was at the Federal Government Boys College, Abuja for an inspection tour. After the exercise, a female teacher courageously came forward and pointedly told the visiting Minister; “we have witnessed such visits in the past without any improvement”. It was at this juncture that Barrister Wike made the now famous promise that at the end of his sojourn at the Federal Ministry of Education, that story will drastically change.

Three years down the line, the Minister has kept his word. For every single institution that came under his supervision, the story has changed positively. The Federal Unity Colleges have come alive again with parents jostling for admission for their children. The Almajiri and Girl-child schools are now functional while the next phase of new construction has been kick-started.

New electronic libraries in 72 Federal Unity Colleges, laboratories, new classrooms and rehabilitated hostels, free books for less privileged Nigerian children and massive teacher training are some of the flagship key basic education projects of the Jonathan administration that the Minister supervised from start to finish.

As Supervising Minister of Education, a post Barrister Wike played a critical role in the resolution of the ASUU strike and the setting aside of N1.3trillion for the revival of infrastructure and economic programmes of public universities. He further played a fundamental role in the setting up of the Needs Assessment Committees for Public Polytechnics and Colleges.

He revived key infrastructural and academic programmes in public higher institutions across the country. Most importantly, the Minister introduced accountability through zonal sessions where all heads of Federal Tertiary institutions gave account to members of the public including the press and the civil society. He worked with technocrats to develop the Nigeria Educational Network for unniversties.

His performance as an outstanding Minister of the Federal Republic has been recognised every step of the way by appreciative Nigerians and groups.

Among these recognitions are: The Minister of the Year 2011 by Nigerian Pilot Newspapers, the Recognition Award by the Abuja Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists and the Dream Child 2013 Award by the National Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ.

But by far the most important recognition in the line of service to Fatherland is the forthcoming investiture of the Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, on Barrister Nyesom Wike by the President and Commander-in-Chief, Dr Goodluck Jonathan on September 29, 2014.

For a man who has devoted the last 16years of his life to community service, this is an honour well deserved. This is a national recognition of his selfless effort to change the story of his country. Above all, a call to more service to the nation and his immediate state of origin.

This is a worthy encouragement to all youths from humble backgrounds that with commitment to service to Fatherland they will definitely be recognised.

Written by Simeon Nwakaudu.