Minister For Education Nwike Lauds Obi, Flags Off 450 Generators , 25,000 computers

 

Minister for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Nwike today performed the ground-breaking for the Boy-Child Special Vocational School, at Uga, Aguata local government area Anambra state.

Nwike accompanied by Governor Peter Obi said the school was designed to tackle the menace of school drop out by building special schools that would rehabilitate them through provision of education and vocational training to them.

Speaking on the project, the Governor Peter Obi thanked all those that contributed one way or the other to make the project a reality, including Sen. Andy Uba.

 He said that such efforts were what we expect from those representing us in Abuja and not those that are dumb in the house or use their constituency allowances to build toilets and constitute problem to the State through acts of brigandage.

This is coming as the Supervising Minister of Education, Nwike joined Governor Peter Obi in a flag off for the distribution of 25,000 computers and 450 generators to schools in Anambra State. 

 Obi also presented cheques totaling N525 million Naira for the provision of sick bays in all the public and mission secondary schools as well as the flag-off of more 100  buses  which brought to 550 the  buses already shared to  schools in the State.

During the presentation at Ekwueme Square, the Governor said that all his efforts in Anambra State were geared towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals by the year 2015.  He said that his Government was committed to all sectors in line with Anambra Integrated Development Strategy, but that the particular attention to education was because of its pivotal role in the growth and development of nations.

Speaking further, the Governor, who said the generators, vehicles and computers were actually the 2^nd time his Government was doing such, appealed to the recipients to put them to the use they were meant for.  “We are offering a total package to our schools.  The generators will power the computers.  We have trained special computer teachers for proficiency in the subject.  We have also provided boreholes, Internet facilities, Microsoft Academics, Laboratory equipment to schools in the State.  The results of the effort have started to manifest in the performance of our people in external examinations,” Obi said.

Speaking at the event, the Supervising Minister of Education, Barr. Nyelson Wike said that not just Anambra, but the entire country should be proud of Gov. Obi and thus grateful to God for given the country a person like him. He said that he had been to Anambra four times and in each occasion, he had the opportunity of observing the wonderful work the Governor was doing and was able, at each coming, to learn something from the Governor. Commending Obi's innovation marked by the support to schools, he said the Federal Government would replicate the same in all the unity schools in the State.

Commending the relationship between Gov. Obi and the Federal Government, Nwike said that because of the Governor,  the President always insisted that  Anambra must be considered in all national projects, including being the first State for the laying of the foundation and commencement of the Boy-Child Special Vocational School, Uga, which the Minister, joined the Governor to  Perform  its ground- breaking yesterday at Uga. He encouraged other Governors to emulate Obi not  just in his relationship with the President, but with other stakeholders in his State. "Each time I attend his events, I see the quality of attendance. The Igwes are always there because of his humility and respect for them. You could notice that unlike others, it is not a question of paid crowd," Nwike said.

Nwike said that having witnessed how judiciously and constructively the Governor used the  Universal Basic Education Commission's Funds,  that he had directed UBEC to release all outstanding Anambra kobo still with them.

In his own reaction, the Executive Secretary of UBEC,  Dr. Suleman Dikko expressed surprise at the high level of transformation in  various schools in the State which  he noted was contrary to information and insinuation peddled in some quarters.

Dr. Dikko said Governor Obi’s initiative of sending funds directly to schools for projects should be emulated by other States to achieve maximum result as the schools know what they want and were in a better position to apply the funds.  He assured that the State counterpart contribution with the commission would be released immediately and commended the Governor for being responsive to needs and aspirations of the people.  

Speaking at the event, the MD of Galaxy Backbone, Mr. Gerald Ilukwe described what is taking place in Anambra as phenomenal. He said that by massive deployment of computers with Internet facilities in all the schools in the State, that Gov Obi had one what no Government has been able to do in Sub-Saharan Africa. He said that the singular investment in education would take Anambra to unimaginable heights in no distant time.

Caption for the picture above

Gov. Peter Obi, with the Supervising Minister of Education, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike( left) during the flag-off of 450  50 kva generators, 25,000 computers, presentation of cheques of N525m for Sick Bays, and additional 100 vehicles out of about 300 already delivered to schools in Anambra State at Ekwueme Square