• Disburses N150m to Anglican Church, N217m to Catholic, for schools maintenance
GOVERNOR Willie Obiano of Anambra State has sustained capacity building in the education sector of the state which began in the administration of former Governor Peter Obi. The former governor left a legacy with this same policy that made Anambra State emerge the best in Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) in the country the subsequent year after his tenure.
Apparently, in his commitment to upgrading facilities in all schools in the state, Obiano presented a cheque for the sum of N150 million to the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, for the upgrading, renovation, maintenance and equipping of Schools earlier handed back over to the mission by the state government.
He made the presentation at the Cathedral Church of St John, Ekwulobia, Aguata Council of the state at a brief but colourful ceremony which attracted Anglican Bishops, clergymen, traditional rulers, Anglican faithful and school children amongst others.
According to a statement by Ezekwelu Kingsley, Special Adviser to the Governor on, Media, the funds which is part of the administration’s practical support towards its partnership with the Church in rebuilding mission schools, is for the execution of projects under the Universal Basic Education, UBE 2015 Action Plan.
While presenting the cheque, Obiano disclosed that N1.5 billion will also be disbursed to other schools, including Public and select Private Schools across the state for the same purpose.
He noted that his administration had set up a team of Auditors who went round to monitor how earlier intervention funds provided last year were utilized. He revealed that he was motivated to release more this year despite the present day economic realities, because of the prudence of the Church in utilizing the funds for the purpose it was intended.
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The governor commended the Church for sticking to the strategic objective of the partnership, which is to positively turn around the State’s Education Sector to effectively play its role in shaping the character of students while offering them quality education. He promised that his administration will sustain the partnership.
The Commissioner for Education, Professor Kate Omenugha, said that a major driver of success story of the Obiano administration in the Education Sector is its conscious efforts towards keeping faith with its vision to ensure that no child is denied access to quality education.
According to her, some of its recent achievements include the retooling of science laboratories of Secondary Schools, adoption of some key schools for the inclusive learning and education for employment initiative, setting up of Computer Centres at Community Education Centers as well as approval of yearly grant for the implementation of Schools’ plan.
Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Chief Nzemeka Olisa said the state government’s intervention in the Basic Education sub sector since its inception has guaranteed sustained infrastructures upgrade in the schools. He urged the Churches to adhere strictly to the UBEC guidelines in keeping good accounting records of all projects executed and rendering reports in line with the UBEC template.
A lawmaker and Member representing Aguata One Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Dr Ikechukwu Umenwa, said with what the Governor is doing, the state will sustain its pole position in education in the Country.
The Dean, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion and Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger, Most Reverend Christian Efobi, thanked the Governor for keeping his earlier promise to continue maintaining the partnership with the Church in repositioning the Education Sector and for the transformation that is ongoing across the various sectors in the state.
Moreover, Governor Obiano presented another cheque for the sum of N217 million to the Catholic Church for the upgrade of all the schools handed over back to the church by the Anambra state government.
The cheque presentation which took place at the Bishop Shanahan Hall, Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, was for the execution of projects under the Universal Basic Education, UBE 2015 Action Plan in the schools handed back over to the Catholic Church.
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The governor stated that the State Government’s partnership with the Church is already yielding results evident in infrastructures turnaround in the schools, as well as the numerous laurels students from the state have continued to win at both national and international competitions.
He explained that the intervention was according to the number of schools handed over to each religious group, and commended his predecessor, former governor, Peter Obi, for the initiative to return the schools to their original owners in the state.
The Archbishop Metropolitan, Ecclesiastical Province of Onitsha, the Most Reverend Valerian Okeke, thanked God for giving Anambra State a leader like Obiano, who he noted, understands the importance of education and the need to invest in the future of the Children, adding that the state is presently enjoying the dividends of the governor’s visionary leadership.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Professor Kate Omenugha, said the event marks a milestone in the state government’s efforts to ensure that the learning needs of all are met.
In their separate remarks, the State Chairman, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Elder Chris Eluemuno and an APGA stalwart, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka said Obiano has continued to blaze the trail in good governance adding that with the donations to the mission schools, they will be well equipped to effectively groom students in the path of sound morals.