Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo CFR has inaugurated the state Education Advisory Council. The Governor performed the function at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia.
According to the Governor, it is the first and only council, apart from the State Executive Council that he will superintend over.
Other members of the Council include the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh who will serve as Secretary, Prof. A.U. Nonyelu, Chief Osita Chidoka, Mr. Patrick Okigbo III, Prof. S.O.E. Ogbogu, Dr. (Mrs.) Angela M.A. Obodozie and Rev. Sr. (Prof.) Mary Theresa Opara.
Others are Engr. Paul Enidom, Prof. Walter Chukwuma Nwafia, Dr. Ngozi Agbasimalo, Mrs Obianuju Chinelo Kenechukwu, Prof. (Mrs.) Chinelo Grace Nzelibe, Prof. O.S.A. Obikeze, Prof. Mrs. Virgy Onyene, Dr. (Mrs.) Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi, Chairperson ASUBEB, Prof. Nkechi Perpetual Ikediegwu, Chairperson PPSSC, Prof. Greg Chukwudi Nwakoby, Vice Chancellor, COOU, Dr. Ifenyinwa Osegbo, Provost Nwafor Orizu College of Education Nsugbe and Dr. Nneka C. Mefoh, Rector Anambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu.
The Governor expressed his great pleasure and honor on behalf of the Government and people of Anambra, having inaugurated the council.
“You all have the magic wand to take Anambra to the stars. I congratulate and thank you for accepting to serve. I also apologize to other colleagues who were not able to make it due to short notice.
“Anambra is a state with huge human capital. This 20-member council is a powerful and forceful one.
“This council is an advisory council and it’s not by accident I choose to Chair it personally because I want to receive information firsthand from all of you. I don’t want it to be translated as a memo to me.
“This council is inaugurated because of the importance of education; the past, present, and future of Anambra. Human capital is our greatest resource.
“Our manifesto is like our own bible, our contract with Ndi Anambra and we are determined to implement every part of it. They are not usual electioneering promises.
“In the manifesto, we identified goals for human capital. Without having an educated citizenry fit for purpose in the 21st century, nothing falls into place.
“On the positive side comparatively, we have been doing well, our pupils and teachers are winning laurels. Just a few weeks ago, our teachers came back with 5 awards.
“These are things to celebrate! We are in Nigeria but we are in Anambra and the ANAMBRA standard should be the global standard. That’s where we should be, comparing it with the world. We are the light of the nation and it’s not a mere description.
“This eminent council is set up to interrogate and ensure the foundation we lay is fit for the 21st century.
“We want to create a digital tribe and to do so, there must be disruptive changes. We must interrogate our primary, secondary, and tertiary schools; answer the hard questions, and find the best way to deliver.
“We don’t want to do well on the average. We want the worst performers of our schools in the state to be the best.
“All of you come with a different quota of experience and knowledge in this council. I’m expecting this council will help us to explode.
“We must interrogate the essence of our institutions and find out things we must do to get them to where they should be.
I’m still grappling with this question, does the state needs a polytechnic? What will it offer? How will it be funded? The state can’t adequately fund universities and colleges of education. Why these polytechnics??? Should our institutions just be another institution?
These are questions we must ask so the keyword is disruptive advisory. How are we going to leverage technology to deliver in the 21st century to our people?
“We will be requesting a whole lot of your time! We are preparing for the 2023 budget and in a few weeks, we will be going to the parliament for that purpose.
“We will have a or two days retreat on education. This council will be a major clearing house on matters of education in the state. Your knowledge, experience, and networks are very important.
“This is a subject that I feel so very passionate about and I must thank you all immensely,” Soludo concluded.
Members expressed gratitude to the Governor for finding them worthy to be appointed as members of the Council. They promised not to disappoint the Governor in discharging their duties
The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Chief of Staff to Anambra Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Head of Service, Barr. Mrs. Theodora Igwegbe, Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr. Obinna Ngonadi, Chief Protocol, Hon Chinedu Nwoye, and others, attended the event.
