Education
Jubilation As Enugu East LG Boss Pays SSCE Fee For Over 2,000 Students Within Council Area
There was jubilation on Thursday in Enugu East local government area following a declaration by the council boss, Hon. Pastor Beloved-Dan Anike, to pay the senior school certificate examination bills comprising of the West African School Certificate Examination, (WAEC), the National Examination Council, (NECO) and National Board for Technical Education (NABTEB) examinations for the senior secondary school three, (SS3) students across all public schools within the council area.
The mayor disclosed this at the council headquarters, Nkwo Nike, during a special meeting with the principals of the entire public secondary schools within his domain, stressing that his administration is also planning on making similar payments for Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam fees for the students when they are due for that, adding that arrangements are also being made to pay extra lessons fees for these SS3 students in order to ensure that they are well prepared for the exams ahead.
Speaking to the press after meeting with the principals, the council chairman, Hon. Beloved-Dan stated that the exercise was part of his administration’s human capital development plan and equal access to quality education, which are in tandem with the vision of the Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, aimed at raising a smart generation for global competitiveness.In his words: “We know education is pivotal to taking people out of poverty and stopping hunger, if you are educated you will be prepared to have requisite skills and to make the right decisions to better your life.
“I’m not saying that certification is enough to get empowered, but beyond the certification it will enable you to acquire the right skill and turn your skill to business and business to money. So we have the vision of preparing our future leaders to become globally competitive, that’s why we are looking at human capital.
“You are aware that we just finished our ‘Better Tomorrow Scholarship Scheme’, through which we have selected 50 hyper intelligent students to be moved to highly rated schools where they will be able to gain the right exposure and the right environment to be able to become globally competitive.
“This is in line with the vision of His Excellency the governor of Enugu Enugu State, which places education at the top burner, bringing smart school to every ward of the state. In order to also close the gap, we know as the most populous local council area in the state, we are looking at improving the human capital index of our youth, such that they become globally competitive and also contribute to the economy of the state as we scale up in the trajectory $30billion dollar mark.
Responding to questions on the categories of students to benefit from this intervention, the mayor explained that the exercise is targeting all residents of the local government, both indigenous and non-indigenous SS3 students in public schools, stressing that the intention is to ease the troubling load off the shoulders of the rural, the urban and the semi-urban poor, noting that the focus is on the social impacts.
Beloved-Dan also commended the governor of the state, Dr Peter Mbah, whom he said has already made the job easier for them, (the local government chairmen), through his huge investments in education across the 260 wards of the state, adding that the smart green schools being built in every community by the governor will bridge the inequality of access to quality education and not only boost confidence in public schools but would most likely crash the quest for quality education from the private schools.
“The smart green schools in the 260 wards that are being established by our governor, Dr Peter Mbah, is actually targeted as measure to provide the opportunity for the poor and the provide more importantly an alternative school to what we call private schools, in fact by September 2025 everyone who operates a private school or luxury school in Enugu state will check the indices that makes a luxury school, because what the smart school would provide will have high ratings more than the those private schools/luxury schools.
“So it’s actually to help not just the poor but also the middle class. A whole lot of people who take their children to private schools are overburdened by the load of school fees, ranging from 50-thousand, to 100-thousand and 200-thousand, not to talk of the luxury schools that pay about 500-thousand and above.
“So the critical mass of the population including civil servants move our children to private schools, but by the time the smart schools fully take off by September next year, everybody will go public, it will be a repeat of those days when if you don’t have 36 or 30 aggregates to be in public school, you would know what you are missing. That’s why we are coming back to support the public schools and encourage everybody.
The council boss, flanked by the secretary to the local government, who also doubles as the chairman of the implementation committee, Barr Uchenna Mbeke, also emphasized that the initiative has been captured into law and hopes to be sustained it as an annual exercise.
“The journey of many miles starts with a step. We have already made funds available for this initiative. We have passed the Human Capital Development Bye Law, that approved 25-million naira monthly for human capital development which amounts to 300-million annual estimates in that regard. So we would be spending around 50-60 million on this which should make it an annual event, hoping that even subsequent chairmen after me would sustain”, he said.
Responding, some of the school principals who were full of joy commended the chairman, Hon. Beloved-Dan, for bringing succour to the less privileged.
.Dr Agada Gregory, the principal of community secondary school, Ugwogo Nike said, “If you look at our faces you will see that we are so happy about this project which our dear mayor has introduced. It’s going to go a long way to bridging the gap between the rich and the poor, whereby those who have money go to the private schools.
“This path the mayor is taking, I bet you in the next two years, nobody will be thinking of sending their children to the private schools. This initiative will put an end to the issue of dropout due to lack of funds. We enjoin other local government chairmen to emulate this kind of gesture.
On her part, Mrs Agbo, from Annunciation secondary school, Nkwo Nike, also expressed her joy and prayed for the chairman, “We are grateful for having this opportunity to interact with our precious Beloved-Dan, he is a good leader.
“We really appreciate what is happening today because poverty is a disease. That many of our children don’t go to school is not because they don’t want to, but because they don’t have the money, now that we have been given this opportunity, only the sky is our limit and God will strengthen our able chairman to do even more and I believe everyone will benefit, even the farmers in the villages may now want to enroll in schools. Our dear mayor, we love you, everyone loves you, ride on, May God strengthen you sir.
By Our Reporter
Tragedy has struck the family of Comrade Ambrose Nnamani of Isi-Ama Ejona in Mbu Amon, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, following the death of their 14-year-old son, Kosisochukwu Nnamani.
The deceased, who was a student of the College of Immaculate Conception (CIC) Enugu, was reportedly drowned while attempting to recover a bucket that fell into a water reservoir.
Sources disclosed that the unfortunate incident occurred on May 4, 2026, throwing the family and members of the community into mourning.
A burial poster released by the family described the death of the teenager as a “painful exit,” stating that his sudden demise has left relations, friends and schoolmates devastated.
According to the burial arrangements, a Christian wake is scheduled to hold at the College of Immaculate Conception (CIC) Enugu on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, while funeral Mass and interment will take place on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at his father’s compound in Ugwu-Faith, Isi-Ama Ejona, Isi-Uzo LGA of Enugu State.
The family prayed for the peaceful repose of the young boy, describing him as a “little angel gone too soon.”
By Okey Maduforo Awka .
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state has lamented lack of research in public policy making contending that academic research with positive impact on governance is sterial.
He further challenged the academic community to step up it’s intellectual works towards solving contending issues that shape the wellbeing of the immediate society.
The Governor who delivered a lecture at the 6th Biennial Adada Lecture Series 2026 convened by Association of Nsukka Professors noted that gone are those days when intellectual works end up at the University book shelf without transforming the socioeconomic needs of any given society.
Soludo observed that the “fusion of thought and action” remains the only bridge to a national rebirth.
Soludo questioned why academic discussions have seemingly lost their authority in national life. Despite producing thousands of professors and journals, he noted a “severed link” between academic research and public policy.
“If you have 200 Professors as members, how is the Adada zone not a first world?” he asked, challenging the audience to move beyond the walls of the university. “We produce journal articles, but how many have become policies? Intellectualism without activism is sterile.”
The Governor further advocated for “Productive Intellectualism,” where critical thinking guides public purpose. Drawing from his first tenure as Governor over the last four years, Governor Soludo highlighted how he has attempted to bring intellectualism to governance through “sacrificial volunteerism” and how he succeeded in laying the foundation for the African Dubai-Taiwan-Silicon Valley.
He emphasized that nations do not develop by resources alone, but by ideas that precede institutions; citing historical giants like Isaac Newton, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Kwame Nkrumah, Ahmadu Bello, and a host of others, as examples of a shared pattern of logical thinking that yield ideas and then built.
“This is a challenge to the intellectuals and the wider academic community: to multi-task, as the modern intellectual must be both a thinker and a doer, Question the Status Quo which remains a fundamental element of true intellectualism”
“Standing akimbo is too expensive,” Soludo warned. “We don’t just live; we live to matter. It is time to get back to basics and drive the African renaissance through active participation.”
Speaking earlier, Professor Osita Ogbu, presiding as Chairman, observed that the true benchmark of academic excellence is not found in the complacency of achievement, but in an unyielding hunger for discovery and the courage to apply that knowledge to real-world challenges. He asserted that intellectuals are never satisfied, they keep working.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Professor Simon Ortuanya, framed the gathering as a significant homecoming for Governor Soludo. He offered a glowing tribute to the Governor, commending his transformative contributions to the Nigerian state and his broader dedication to the service of humanity.
Enugu East Local Government Area has formalised a strategic partnership with David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening human capital development in the council area.
The agreement, signed during a high-level meeting between officials of the council and the university’s management, is expected to open new opportunities in medical education, training, and healthcare capacity building.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Executive Chairman of Enugu East LGA, Engr. Pst. Beloved-Dan Obi Anike, described the partnership as a major step toward building a healthier and more prosperous society through deliberate investment in education.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the broader development agenda of the Enugu State Government under Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, particularly in the area of human capital development.
As part of the agreement, the council unveiled plans to sponsor 100 students from Enugu East to study medical-related courses at the university, a move aimed at addressing manpower gaps in the health sector while empowering local youths.
“This partnership is not just about education; it is about securing the future of our people. By investing in medical training, we are building a foundation for sustainable healthcare delivery in Enugu East,” Anike said.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Jesse Uneke, commended the council for its forward-thinking approach, describing the MoU as a mutually beneficial arrangement that would enhance both academic excellence and community impact.
He assured that the institution would provide the necessary support to ensure the success of the scholarship programme and other areas of collaboration captured in the agreement.
The MoU is also expected to cover research collaboration, capacity building, and possible medical outreach programmes within Enugu East communities.
Stakeholders say the partnership marks a significant milestone in the council’s drive to improve access to quality education and healthcare, while positioning Enugu East as a model for grassroots-driven development.
Implementation of the agreement is expected to commence in the coming weeks, with both parties set to outline detailed modalities for its execution.
Fifteen students from Enugu East Local Government Area who were awarded scholarships to study medicine and engineering at Maduka University have officially matriculated, marking a major milestone in their academic journey.
The scholarship initiative, driven by the Enugu East Local Government Council under the leadership of Engr. Pst. Beloved-Dan Obi Anike, is part of efforts to boost human capital development through strategic investment in education.
The council facilitated admission for the beneficiaries into high-demand professional courses, positioning them to become future leaders in medicine, engineering, and related fields.
The matriculation ceremony was attended by key government representatives, including Barr. Uche Mbaeke, Secretary of Enugu East LGA, and Pst. Polycarp Ugwu, Secretary of the Enugu East Human Capital Trust Fund, who represented the council at the event.
The ceremony signals the beginning of a new academic chapter for the students, who are expected to make meaningful contributions to their community and beyond.
The initiative has been widely commended as a bold step toward youth empowerment and sustainable development in Enugu East.
A lecturer at Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Mr. Anslem Ojodomo, has died after collapsing in class while teaching.
The Rector of the polytechnic confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Friday in Lokoja by the Acting Coordinator, Directorate of Public Relations, Mr. John Onimisi, describing the development as a “deep personal shock.”
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves across the institution, coming just a month after another lecturer, Dr. Barnabas Akuba, passed away shortly after completing his PhD programme.
Ojodomo’s death has sparked concern among staff and students, with many questioning the circumstances surrounding the sudden losses.
Student eyewitnesses, who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity, said Ojodomo collapsed while addressing his class. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The polytechnic community has been left in a state of uncertainty, having lost two lecturers in quick succession.
Meanwhile, the Rector, Prof. Salihu Avidime, extended heartfelt condolences to the institution and the family of the deceased, noting that Ojodomo was a lecturer in the Department of Public Administration.
Avidime recalled meeting Ojodomo just hours before his death, where they exchanged pleasantries.
He described the late lecturer as a dedicated and humble academic committed to excellence.
“The Polytechnic community is mourning the loss of a promising academic and dependable colleague who embodied scholarship, service, and character,” he said.
“Ojodomo’s contributions as Deputy Dean, Student Services, and lecturer were impactful and inspiring.”
Anselm Victory Ojodomo (October 5, 1992 – March 27, 2026) held a Master’s degree from Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, where he had recently defended his PhD proposal.
He joined Kogi State Polytechnic in 2021 and served on several committees.
The polytechnic community commiserated with his family and the people of Igalamela/Odolu, praying for his soul to rest in peace.
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