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UBEC Lauds Gov Mbah’s Smart School Initiative And Passion For Quality Education

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Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, has commended the Enugu State Government led by Governor Peter Mbah for initiating the over 260 Smart Green Schools to cater for basic education in the state, describing it as brave and strategic in a country where it said basic education had suffered serious neglect.

The Commission expressed happiness that while UBEC had haboured the idea of smart schools some years ago, Enugu State that had already taken theirs beyond theory to practice, stressing that quality education for young Nigerians was the sure way to guarantee a sustainable future.

The commendation was given by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi during a working visit to Governor Mbah at the Government House, Enugu, Tuesday evening.

“Basic education has suffered serious neglect. A lot of times, as we go from state to state to tell people that if we cannot take care of these children, we have no future. The future lies in making sure that just as our forebears took care of us, we also discharge our duty to take care of these children to safeguard our future.

“A lot of governors avoid putting a lot of resources in education. The argument is that you do not see the result there immediately, forgetting the fact that while you might not see it immediately, at the end of the day, it is those that are young that can guarantee our future as a nation.

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“So, when I was told that you were building 260 Smart Schools, it is something captivating. I said that I needed to come with my team to really see what you are doing and what is going on. Then I came and we went around the Smart Schools with the Commissioner for Education and your team.

“We looked at what has been achieved so far. We looked at the seriousness with which this programme is being pursued. We looked at its expansive nature and the principles behind it in terms of building not only the capacity of the teachers, but also the infrastructure that is being put forward as well as the pedagogy in terms of teaching and learning.

“In going round, I saw the teachers, with all the pupils. I saw the enthusiasm. It is not just Smart Schools, you are providing smart environment for them. We were very glad to see those things.

“We saw the wonderful school, including even having smart agriculture in the schools. I think I find it very impressive.

“I want to tell you that the path you have taken is a very brave one and strategic and we want to appreciate you for what you are doing,” he stated.

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We believe that with the commitment of the governor, Enugu will be able to realise its objective as far as education is concerned and his dream as far as smart education is concerned.

Bobboyi also commended Mbah’s sustainability plans for both for the Smart Schools and smart education in general in Enugu State, commending Enugu plans to ensure that the graduates of smart basic education also get smart senior secondary education.

“I was shown one of the smart secondary schools already under construction and I was also told that many are also coming up. I said to them, your governor has made my day. So, I want to assure you of our total support as a Commission,” he concluded.

In his remark, Governor Mbah explained why his administration was obsessed with education.

“Indeed, we are obsessed with education because we understand that if we do not do it today, then we will pay a greater price tomorrow. And we are already beginning to see the signs in the tension and fragility in our country. They are coming as a result of unemployment and poverty because even if you have been through the education system and you do not have skills that will make you employable, it is a challenge.

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“So, we have dedicated one-thirds of our budget (over 33 per cent) to education and it is deliberate. We understand that while it may not be politically correct as physical infrastructure which results will show immediately. We know it is going to outlive our regime because it is not a sprint. But in 15 to 20 years, the results will surely be felt and will be happy knowing that we have kids who will no longer go into criminality as a venture.”

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Education

Enugu: CIC Student Drowns While Trying To Retrieve Bucket From Water Reservoir 

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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.”

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Soludo Laments Absence Of Public Policy In Academic Research

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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.

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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”

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“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.

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Enugu East LGA Signs MoU with Medical University, Targets 100 Scholarships

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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.

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Education

Enugu East Scholarship Beneficiaries Matriculate at Maduka University

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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.

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Education

Shock as Polytechnic Lecturer Collapses, Dies During Lecture

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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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