Enugu State Governo,r Dr Peter Mbah has tasked Nigerians on a renewed commitment, and collaborative efforts of all in nation building.
He made the call in his speech at the celebration of the Nigeria’s 64Th Independence anniversary held Tuesday, at the Michael Okpara Enugu.
Governor Mbah said independence is not merely a historical event. ” It is an on going journey that requires unity. He said our independence day clearly demonstrates the power of unity .” We can build the nation that stands tall among the global communities, guided by principles of unity , peace and development,’ he said.
Pix: Gov Mbah .
Congratulating Nigerians , Governor Mbah appealed for commitment to nation building.
“Let us renew our commitment to the growth and progress of Nigeria., a nation full of promise and potentials,” he urged.
” With our investment in education in Enugu state and with our collective determination, we can ensure a bright and prosperous future for generations to come.
He. described education as the most enduring legacy to bequeath to the youths, saying the state has recorded remarkable achievements in the sector.
The added that his administration committed 33 percent of the state’s annual budget to education underscoring its dedication to human capital development
Pix-: Gov Mbah
He added that his objective was to deploy education to spur economic growth within the state. The Governor said the Smart Green school project his administration initiated aims at implementing experiential learning to make the children practicalize the theory taught them in the classes.
He added that with the vision to establish 260 Smart Green Schools align with the Sustainable Development Goals , Enugu state will be positioned as a leader in delivering innovative educational infrastructure and services.
Pix: SSG, Prof Chidiebere Onyia
In his address, the State Commissioner for Education, Prof Ndubueze Mbah , said children were gathered every October 1, to remind the society that “Independence is a freedom promised , that education is foundation of that freedom promised”.
He commended the state Governor for embarking on education reform and human capital development in the state, launching a reform of the basic education system from nursery 1 to 3 through basic 1 to 9 , featuring experiential learning and and connected technology. A.vision through which education would be the vehicle for economic and sustainable development for emancipation from cycles of poverty and under development.
Pix-:Prof Ndubueze Mbah
The Commissioner said, in Enugu state we had much to celebrate, noting that ,” the Enugu Smart Green School( ESGS) Owo campus opened in January with 865 students and 27 Smart teachers, had the students introduced to experiential learning and sustainable development projects that have them testing seeds and growing new plant species.
” Establishing a smart farm that supports their school meal plus programme, using robotics to design models of Smart homes and remote security solutions, attracting international collaboration to establish drinking water purification systems and leveraging educational technologies to connect with global knowledge economics, digital education resources and international peers”, the Commissioner said .
Prof Mbah disclosed that the first set of students of Smart Green School,Owo completed Basic 9(JSS3) He said 25 female graduates received admission with full scholarship to Holy Rosary College, Enugu and 35 male students received admission with full scholarship to College of Immaculate Conception ,Enugu.
Pix-: Students of C.I.C
He announced that ,” in near future , graduates of Enugu Smart Green Schools will transition into one of Seventeen Smart Senior Secondary Schools, one in each Local Government Area or they may transition into one of eight Technical and Vocational schools, one in each federal constituency in Enugu state.ready.
” Indeed, educational emancipation is taking root in Enugu state. We only need to look to our children to see the transformation. Enugu state students won the president’s national debate championship at Abuja, a testament to the expected fruits of the huge investment of our Governor in education reform”,he said.
Pix- Students of Smart Green School,Owo
Speaking with newsmen, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Ngozi Enih, said in Enugu state, the protection, education and well- being of every child remain a top priority.
She noted that the State Governor has demonstrated unwavering commitment to child development . The Commissioner said the establishment of Smart Green schools symbolizes the government ‘s resolve to equip the next generation with the skills they need to become the leaders and change- makers of tomorrow”
Pix-: Mrs Ngozi Enih
Pix-: Students matching at Okpara Square, Enugu.
Pix- Commissioner for education,Prof Ndubueze Mbah,(3) Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development,Mrs Ngozi Enih ( 2) and others ,matching.
The event featured a match past by Basic, and Secondary schools’ students in the state. Trophies were given to the best performed schools in different categories including Basic schools, Only Girls Secondary schools, only Boys Secondary Schools, and Mixed Schools .
Highlight of the event was a match past by the Commissioner for Education,Prof Ndubueze Mbah, his Children Gender Affairs and Social Development counterpart,Mrs Ngozi Enih, and some top officials from the Educational sector .
Author: Maureen Ikpeama