Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra state has inaugurated the state’s Education Advisory Council in Awka, the state Capital.
In a statement by the press secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime, the council is the first and only council, apart from the State Executive Council that he will superintend over.
While addressing members of the council, the Governor urged them to ensure that they lay a foundation fit for the 21st century.
“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.
“We want to create a digital tribe and to do so, there must be disruptive changes. We must interrogate our primary, secondary, 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,” Dr. Soludo said.
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.
“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.
“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 few weeks ago, our teachers came back with 5 awards.
“All of you come with 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,” the Governor added.
Members of the advisory council expressed gratitude to the Governor for finding them worthy to be appointed. 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.
