The Cross River State Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Stephen Odey has been presented the 2019 Imperial Peace Ambassadors Prize by the Commonwealth Students/Youth Federation for Peace for his dedicated services towards improving basic education in the State as well as his commitment to nation building via effective leadership.
Speaking during the event, the president, Commonwealth Students/Youth Federation for Peace, Comr. Suleh said the decision to appoint Odey as an ambassador for peace was necessary to model exemplary leaders to youths in Africa.
According to him “Today, Africa is faced with dire consequences of years of neglect of youths, this has resulted in various social vices such as conflicts, kidnapping, robberies amongst others, which have assumed an alarming dimension. At this point that youths need to have exemplary leaders as role models, we are carefully selecting such leaders like your highly respected person and appointing them as peace ambassadors.”
“We are here to appreciate your immense contributions towards the positive transformation of the basic education sub-sector in this State. Education is the easiest escape route from poverty, when people are educated, the society will be better for it. In Africa we have a leadership challenge, so if we can emulate leaders such as you, we believe that we can build the Africa of our collective dreams,” he said.
Suleh further stated that, the transformation witnessed in basic education sector in the State is as a result of the credibility, fairness and transparency exhibited by the SUBEB Chairman and his Management team, which he said has also earned Dr Odey his reappointment.
He said Commonwealth Students/ Youth federation which started in 1985 is the umbrella body for all students and youths within the commonwealth states in Africa with core objectives of sensitizing members on the importance of peace for the purpose of national development and growth. “we believe that there can never be development in the absence of peace and stability.”
While appealing for the support of their programmes, Suleh Said “the task of nation building is a collective one and we are doing our part, but for us to achieve our goals we rely on the benevolence of well meaning and peace loving individuals to support some of our programmes, like the current campaign against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons across African Boarders.”
Responding, the Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Stephen Odey thanked them for the honour done to him and the Board. He added that everything the Board was able to achieve in his first tenure was due to the support of Governor Ben Ayade, who he said is very passionate about the basic education sector.
According to him, “I assumed duty yesterday and today an award is coming. I want to receive this award with all sense of humility and pride and just like I always say all thanks must go to His Excellency, Prof. Ben Ayade for his constant support towards the development of basic education in the state, which he is very passionate about.”
Odey reiterated his commitment to drive his “rescue mission” agenda with a view to elevating the standard of education in his second tenure.
“When I assumed office for my first tenure, I told them I was on a rescue mission, now, we are on part two of that rescue mission. I came in here during my first tenure, there was a lot of rot and we were the first administration to successfully carry out a proper verification exercise. We were able to weed out ghost workers, while others with fake certificates were demoted. Education is key, if we get it right here, every other thing will follow,”he explained.
While pledging his support to activities of the group, Odey charged them to remain committed to their cause and to take their academic activities seriously.
“I tell people what you owe the society as young men and women is your contribution, and one way to add value to yourself and the society is through education. I encourage you to take your studies seriously, as I sit here I intend to have two Ph.Ds in the nearest future. I already have one and I am currently undergoing my Masters in law, I believe that there is no limit to what we can do, it is all about determination. As youths what takes you to the next level is also hardwork, honesty and humility, i have tried it and it works.”
The group also presented a “Corporate Instrument Commendation” award to the Board’s Management Staff for their contributions towards the positive improvement of basic education in the Country.
