Ahead of school resumption on 27 September, 2025, Enugu state Governor,Dr Peter Mbah has charged Local Government Chairmen, Traditional rulers , Presidents General, Security Agencies, Civil Society Organisations ( CSOs) and all community leaders to take ownership of the 260 Smart Green Schools built in the 260 political wards in the state and see to their sustainability.
He gave the charge on Thursday, during “Smart Green School Security: Ownership, Accountability and Sustainability Strategy ” workshop organised for Local Government Chairmen, Traditional rulers, Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants to the Governor, Heads of Agencies, and Parastatals, Presidents- General, Security Agents and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at the Old Government Lodge,Enugu .
Pix: SSG, Prof Onyia
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia said N260 Billion invested in the construction and purchasing of equipment for the Smart Green Schools in every political ward was a huge sum and the State Government “will not allow challatans to make away with the investment”.
According to him, containers containing the equipment for the schools (learning materials) had arrived and once moved to the schools , it becomes the responsibility of the Community.
“Some of the equipment in the Smart Green Schools are small but very important. We have 17 (40 Footer) containers containing tablets, computers and other teaching and learning materials. Once we move them into schools , it becomes your responsibility”, he said.
The Governor explained that at the commencement of the project, they went round the whole wards , monitored the construction and handed over to the Local Government Chairmen who inturn will deliver the projects to the communities through the traditional rulers and Presidents General.
He charged them to protect the facilities, take responsibility of the financial aspect, and security, warning that if any item is stolen the community will replace it with their money.
” It is our collective responsibility. Think about prevention, if you prevent it , it will not get to a point you will replace”, he said.
He advised them to take the inventory when the equipment arrived the schools, for proper accountability.
Reading out the terms of reference, Governor Mbah urged the Local Government Chairmen to set up Smart Green Schools security council and recruit people that are responsible, people they trust. He also urged them to collaborate with security team and school administrator to monitor school premises and report suspicious activities and support emergency response.
Pix CSO’s representatives
Governor Mbah charged them to call monthly security strategic meetings of all Smart Green Schools security team; and create an escalation process for emergency intervention.
On deliverable, he urged the Local Government Chairmen to “create a security architecture and financial support framework to ensure ownership and sustainability.”
He said , “it’s a partnership and everybody should see the facilities as their own”.
In their brief remarks, the chairman of Enugu state traditional rulers council, HRM Igwe Samuel Asadu and the chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area, Dr. Ibekaku Onoh , promised that they will take ownership of the Smart Green Schools and sustain them.
Pix: Dr Vitalis Ndu , Chairman ,Ezeagu Local Government Area
In separate interviews , the chairman of Nsukka Local Government area, Hon Jude Asogwa, the chairman of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, Hon. Obiora Obeagu and the Chairman of Ezeagu Local Government Area, Hon Vitalis Ndu, commended Governor Mbah for constructing the Smart Green Schools across the 260 political wards in the state.
Pix: Hon Jude Asogwa , Chairman,Nsukka Local Government Area
They said the project will empower the future generation and enable them to compete with their counterparts both within and outside the country.
Pix: Hon Obiora Obeagu,
The Chairmen said they had continued to partner the State government to ensure completion of the Smart Green Schools project and the idea of ownership and sustainability will be galvanised to secure the Schools.
” If we come together as a collective people, we will do it”, Obeagu said.
Author:Maureen Ikpeama