Why Delta state government should honor Ebimaye Tangbe, the 31-year-old PhD graduate from U.S University
By GbaramatuVoice Editorial Board
Similar to the opinion shared by the generality of Nigerians, GbaramatuVoice believes that Nigeria is not a society of equal citizens where opportunities are equal and personal contribution is recognized and rewarded on merit regardless of language, culture, religion or political affiliations.
If it is, the Ijaw born Praise Ebimaye Tangbe, who recently bagged a Ph.D from Jackson State University, in Mississippi, United States of America, at the age of 31, would have been invited by Delta State, Federal Governments and other relevant agencies in the country for the purpose of recognition, honour and celebration.
Also painful is the awareness that, Ebimaye Tangbe is not the only victim of such wicked neglect by the government and other relevant agencies. It is a statement of fact that there are reported cases of similar achievement in the past by young Nigerians in their various fields of endeavors but were neither recognized nor celebrated because of mundane considerations such as ethnicity, language, culture, religion, political affiliations of their parents or most pathetically, because they were from very poor families/background.
ALSO READ: Ijaw born Ebimaye makes history, bags PhD from top U.S University at 31
For instance, Fetimi Bebetebe Balogun, an indigene of Egbema kingdom in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta state, while at University of Cebu in Philippines, graduated in 2019 with the highest honour in the school called ‘Summa Cum Laude’ meaning the student with the highest honour in Latin. Also, he reportedly broke the 55 years old academic record of the University. To appreciate his academic wizardry, Bebetebe was offered a scholarship to study PhD Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering by University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland in the United Kingdom without a Master’s Degree.
Despite these achievements no word of commendation, appreciation, celebration, encouragement or honour was heard from the Federal Government, Delta state or the local government where he hails from. Not even the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the apex regulatory and promotional maritime agency that sent him to Philippines for study could appreciate him for doing the agency proud and the country proud.
In view of these lackadaisical attitude of the nation’s public office holders particularly, from the Niger Delta region, it will elicit the following questions: Why is public office holders in the habit of neglecting Nigerian youth with outstanding performance at the global stage but are quick to blame Nigerian youths that disgraced/disappointed the nation?
What will it take the Delta State Government for instance to honour Praise Ebimaye Tangbe, Fetimi Bebetebe Balogun, and among others? Is the state government unaware that such honour and celebration will act as morale booster to other youths and most importantly re-orientate youths who currently view education as a scam?
What about the Senator and Federal and State Houses of Assembly members who represent the Senatorial, Federal and state constituencies where these very bright students/performers hail from? What effort, whether individually or collectively, have they made to have these youths recognized? Will it be out of place if they raise motion in their various assemblies to call for their national recognition?
GbaramatuVoice considers such silence by these lawmakers as ‘not golden but betrayal’!
To change this narrative, the newspaper urges both the state and federal governments, development agencies in the country as well good spirited Nigerians to rise up, recognize, honour and celebrate these young fellows. This must be done not for political reason(s) but as a way of encouraging Nigerian youths particularly those in the creeks to know that there is reward in excellence.
Most specifically, we call on Chief James Manager, Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District; Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi, Member Representing Warri Federal Constituency and Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, Member Representing Warri South West Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, to raise motion(s) that will among other things demands for Praise Ebimaye Tangbe’s recognition at the state and federal levels.
While this is important is that, Praise Ebimaye Tangbe is from the creek of the Niger Delta, yet she did not allow her environment or circumstance to prevent her from getting to the pinnacle of her aspiration. Honoring Ebimaye will ginger other youths that currently dwell in the creeks to work harder in their educational pursuit.
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