By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
Two of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s aides are currently at each other’s jugular fighting over the control of revenue in the State Ministry of Education.
Our correspondent gathered that the Commissioner of Education and Knowledge Management, Pastor. Frederick Ikyaan and the Director General, Bureau for Education Quality Assurance (BEQA), Dr Terna Francis are at the centre of the fight.
In a series of correspondence between them, both insisted on the right of collection of the revenue on behalf of the government.
In a letter to education stakeholders in the state titled “Strong Directive” which was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Helen Nambativ for the commissioner, Ikyaan categorically told the schools not to conduct any financial transaction with the bureau.
He also directed the stakeholders to resist every attempt by BEQA staff to confiscate the Federal and Benue State Government approved school records.
However, in response to the ministry’s letter, Dr Terna Francis, DG, BEQA stated categorically that the bureau was not under the Ministry Education and Knowledge Management.
Francis in his letter titled “Re: Strong Directive” said the bureau was established by the governor through Executive Order issued on 8th December 2023, published and gazette in the same year.
He said according to the order existing Quality Assurance Departments/Directorates under the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, along with other departments performing quality assurance functions within the Benue State Education Sector, shall be merged to BEQA, which will continue to carry out its functions.
Francis said the order also empowered BEQA to produce and circulate all school records and guidelines, adding that his directive was in line to the Executive Order.
“It is essential to understand that when a Governor makes a public pronouncement or issues an executive order, public servants and all responsible are expected to comply without challenge.
“Executive Orders are official documents and laws that outline the policies, procedures, or actions the Governor wishes to implement. Challenging or attempting to alter an executive order can lead to serious consequences,” Francis said.
