Commissioner Mike Dio Pledges to Reposition Taraba’s Tertiary Education for Global Standards
By Christiana Babayo
The Taraba State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Hon. Mike Dio Jen, has reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to repositioning the education sector, particularly at the tertiary level, in line with Governor Agbu Kefas’ vision of transforming education in the state.
He made this known when the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Taraba State Council, alongside other members paid him an unscheduled visit at his office in Jalingo on Thursday.
Speaking during the visit, the NUJ Chairman described the engagement as timely, noting that the Commissioner occupies a crucial position in the implementation of the Governor’s widely celebrated free education policy.
“It is an honor to visit at this time, considering the important nature of your office, especially with the free education policy that is gaining national attention. We know you were strategically placed to drive the educational vision of the government, and we have come to identify with you, encourage you, and pray for wisdom to discharge your duties effectively,” the NUJ chairman said.
He further assured the Commissioner of the union’s readiness to collaborate with the Ministry in promoting the government’s educational policies and programs, emphasizing the need for continued partnership between the media and the education sector.
Responding, Hon. Dio Jen expressed appreciation to the NUJ for the visit, noting that journalists are key partners in progress, especially in advancing public understanding and support for government reforms.
“Journalists are our friends, and we need you more than you need us. Education is a cardinal principle of this government. I was on the other side of the administration before His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, asked me to take charge of tertiary education, and I understand the weight of this responsibility,” he stated.
The Commissioner underscored the importance of sustained investment in education, describing it as the bedrock of national development.
“Education is costly but becomes cheap once acquired. Across nations, it is difficult for governments to invest in education because it is a long-term investment whose rewards may not be immediate,” he explained.
Drawing from his international experiences, Dio Jen cited Finland and Rwanda as examples of countries where strategic educational planning has yielded tangible results.
“We have seen how countries like Finland have perfected their educational system, and even in Africa, people now look to Rwanda as a model. Though our system is evolving, we are learning fast. Our goal is to reposition tertiary education in Taraba so that all the gains from the primary and secondary levels will be consolidated,” he said.
He added that the Ministry is focused on practical outcomes rather than empty statistics, assuring that the reforms underway will produce visible and sustainable results.
“We can’t blow our own trumpets; we want people to see our work and tell the story. This is a collaborative effort that requires all hands on deck,” the Commissioner concluded.
The visit reinforced the growing synergy between the media and the state government in advancing development across Taraba.
