WARRI—CHAIRMAN of Warri National Council, WNC, Chief Brown Mene, has said that the Itsekiri Education Trust was inaugurated to create a solid platform that would not only have the capacity for providing quality education, but also outlive the present generation and still be relevant for successive generations.

Chief Mene, who is the Ogwa-Olusan of Warri, said this at the inauguration of Itsekiri Education Trust at the Olu of Warri Palace in Warri, Delta State.

He said the Itsekiri Education Trust “has the mandate to acquire, build, equip and run institutions of learning at all levels in such places as available resources would allow.”

Mene said the trust was saddled with the responsibility of assisting indigent Itsekiri children in their academic pursuit,noting  that doors will be opened for non-Itsekiri children to be enrolled into the institutions that will be acquired by the trust.

In a message, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, described the initiative as one which would reduce burden from the state government. The governor, who was represented by Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, expressed optimism that the project would be a success “because of what Itsekiri are known for.”

Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, who was Chairman of the ocassion, described the Itsekiri ethnic nationality as one of the first to embrace Western education and pledged to be part of the trust.

The Olu of Warri, Ogiama Atuwatse II, who administered oath to the 10-man Education Trust, noted that with their inauguration, no child would henceforth be left untouched in their quest for education and prayed for members of the trust to succeed in their assignment.

The 10-member working committee which is chaired by Dr. Mark Ogharaerumi has former Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Grace Alele-Williams, Prof. Doris Afejuku, Chief Nelson Utieyione, Prof. J.N Omatseye, Mr. William Kpere Daibo, Prof. Gabriel Yomere, Mr. Gbesimi Akperi, Mr. Alex Neyin as members, while Mr. Lawrence Ukubeyinje will serve as Secretary.