TARAKIRI RDA CHAIRMAN PROVIDES 600 SCHOOL DESKS IN OFONI TO BOOST RURAL EDUCATION
July 23rd, 2025
OFONI, BAYELSA STATE – In a significant stride toward improving the quality of education in rural communities, the Chairman of the Tarakiri Rural Development Authority (RDA), Hon. (Mrs.) Ann Enebimoere Asamkpere, on Wednesday, supplied 600 school desks for four primary schools in Ofoni Town, Sagbama Local Government Area.
The initiative, aimed at enhancing classroom learning conditions, underscores the commitment of the RDA to addressing the basic infrastructural needs of rural schools. For many pupils in these communities, the new desks mark a shift from years of kneeling or squatting on bare floors and struggling with shared seating arrangements—conditions that have hampered effective learning.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the Chairman of Sagbama Local Government Area, Hon. (Mrs.) Alice Tangi Allen, who officially commissioned and handed over the desks to the benefiting schools, applauded the project as a timely and impactful intervention.
“When you think about society, you must think about the children—they are the future. Mental empowerment through education is the greatest wealth. If you are poor mentally, you are poor forever. But if you are physically poor and mentally rich, you have hope for a brighter future,” she emphasised.
In her remarks, RDA Chairman Hon. Asamkpere expressed gratitude to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, and his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, for empowering her to identify and address the needs of local communities through people-centred projects.
“A desk might seem like a simple item, but to a child in a rural classroom, it is a symbol of dignity, value, and hope. A conducive learning environment is key to academic success. Without it, assimilation becomes difficult,” she stated.
The event also featured goodwill messages from members of the community. Chief Eyakporovwere Moses, a respected elder from Ofoni, and Miss Karin Christiana, a headmistress of one of the benefiting schools, lauded the intervention. They acknowledged the desks as a practical solution that would transform the classroom experience for pupils.
Miss Christiana further used the opportunity to appeal to the authorities for the provision of pipe-borne water in the school to enhance hygiene and sanitation.
The people of Ofoni community, in a show of appreciation, offered prayers and commendation to the state leadership, particularly Governor Diri and his deputy—who hails from the area—for their continued contributions to grassroots development.
The commissioning ceremony marks another milestone in the ongoing efforts of the Bayelsa State Government and its agencies to bridge the rural-urban education gap and promote sustainable community development.
Dignitaries who accompany the RDA Chairman, Hon. (Mrs) Ann Enebimoere Asamkpere, for the commissioning of the school desks, include:
* Mr. Hobobo Benedict, Head of Personnel Management.
* Comrade Ebiowor M. Owatuamo, Treasurer.
* Hon. Wisdom Okoro – Member Tarakiri RDA.
* Hon. Dr. Akpane Jacob
* Chief Asigho Josiah
* Chief Isaac Omote
* All the Head teachers of the four primary schools and others.
