By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Government has commenced the distribution of Teaching and Learning Materials (TLMs) donated by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to public basic education schools across the state.

Performing the flag-off at the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) headquarters in Makurdi, on behalf of Governor Hyacinth Alia, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode described basic education as the foundation of human development and a critical pillar for sustainable growth in the education sector.

“Basic education remains the bedrock of child development and the foundation upon which all other levels of education are built. The provision of adequate teaching and learning materials is non-negotiable if we must achieve quality education outcomes,” Ode said.

He noted that the distribution of the materials reflects Governor Alia’s firm commitment to advancing basic education in Benue State, adding that the state government has complemented UBEC’s intervention with additional resources such as dusters, markers and whiteboards.

According to the Deputy Governor, the administration has demonstrated strong political will in repositioning the education sector through the regular payment of counterpart funds, construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, recruitment of over 9,000 teachers, provision of teaching aids, and strengthened partnerships with UBEC and development agencies.

Dr. Ode however warned Education Secretaries against diverting the materials, stressing that they must be delivered strictly to the public schools for which they were intended warning that “any diversion of these materials will attract appropriate sanctions.”

The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hajiya Aisha Garba, represented by the UBEC North Central Director, Elder Edward Abalaka, commended the Benue State Government for its consistency in collaborating with the Commission.

“The absence of essential teaching and learning materials undermines effective education delivery,” she said, praising the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Dr. Grace Adagba, for repositioning the Board for greater efficiency.

She assured the state of UBEC’s continued support towards building a functional and effective basic education system.

Earlier, Dr. Adagba explained that the materials were carefully selected to enhance early literacy, promote digital learning, stimulate creativity and improve classroom engagement.

She expressed gratitude to Governor Alia for his sustained support, noting that the intervention would significantly boost teaching and learning outcomes in basic schools across the state.

“The provision of these materials will go a long way in improving classroom delivery and learning experiences for our pupils,” she said.

In separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of the Benue State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Education, Elias Audu, and the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr. Margaret Adamu, commended SUBEB for introducing innovative programmes that have positively changed the narrative of basic education in the state, pledging continued support to the Board in the discharge of its mandate.

Also speaking, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Alfred Emberga, pledged the legislature’s support to SUBEB, affirming the Assembly’s confidence in the Board’s leadership and capacity to deliver quality education for the Benue child.

Items distributed under the UBEC intervention include whiteboard markers, smart boards, computers, English and Mathematics textbooks, Early Childhood Care and Development Education books, history textbooks and assorted storybooks.

Several top government officials and stakeholders attended the ceremony, including the Chairman, Forum of Heads of Agencies, Mrs. Erdoo Iyo; the General Manager, Benue Links Nigeria Limited, Mr. Alexander Fanafa; the Managing Director, Benue Printing and Publishing Company, Mr Joel Mtsor, the General Manager, Benue Internal Revenue Service, Mr Joseph Kwaghgba; the General Manager, Novus Micro Finance Bank, Mrs. Patricia Goja among other top government officials.