The excitement that greeted the emergence of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), governorship candidate in the just concluded Governorship and State Houses Election, Barr. Dr. Peter Mbah is yet to abate even as the people wait with baited breath for his swearing ceremony come May 29,2023. Majority of the electorates in Enugu State spoke through their votes in choosing who succeeds Governor Ifeanyi Ugwyanyi, hinging their parameters for the plum job on Capacity, Competence and Character which they abundantly found in Peter Mbah. For the next four years, the people have entrusted their collective destiny, future, yearnings and aspirations into the hands of the governor-elect who is largely acclaimed as a wealth creator, astute administrator and a builder of human development judging from the towering image garnered from the private sector where he cut his business teeth over the decades attaining the status of a global brand.
As the clock chimes towards his inauguration into office, one critical sector that is the fulcrum for wholesome development of other sectors of our human life is Education. No doubt, Education reduces illiteracy, promotes effective communication skills, Promotes the fundamental rights of citizens, improves learning, reduces poverty, creates jobs, ensures quality public health services, impacts on democracy and elevates socio-economic activities among others. The place and the pivotal role of education starts first with a good “Head” and secondly a “Head” with a good heart. Added to literate tongue or pen, you have something special. No community, state and country can develop unless its citizens are educated. This gives credence to the popular sage, Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. The people of Enugu State are confident that the governor-elect, Barr. Peter Mbah, who radiates philanthropy, selflessness and uncommon business trappings would lead a life of good governance for the greater good of the people by anchoring the totality of his developmental plans on education.
As the Rector of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, I am convinced that the incoming administration will continue on the stable stead established by the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi-led administration. In the area of Human Development, the outgoing administration was profound in employing qualitative teachers to make up for the short fall in the number of teachers at the primary, secondary and university level of education. The outgoing administration also did very well in the area of Content Development. That is the area where accreditation comes in. Many tertiary institutions in Enugu now have full accreditation from their respective agencies. For examples in IMT, we have full accreditation for all our programmes from National Board for Technical Education, NBTE and the National Universities Commission (NUC) for our degree programmes in affiliation with the University of Nigeria. That means we are good to go, expect for a few awaiting re-accreditation.
Summarily, the outgoing administration has equally done well in the area of Infrastructural Development given the quantum structures that sprang up necessary for learning, teaching and research at all level of education particularly in IMT, Enugu. ”If you talk about the education sector, the governor-elect has a sound idea of what to do. He has taken cognizance that human development is key to the success of the education sector. If you come to IMT, we place premium on Content Development. By that I mean the curriculum. The curriculum we use in IMT is approved by NBTE. The incoming administration should also ensure that the cordial relationship between Government and TETFUND subsists. TETFUND remains a key player in the Educational sector. The synergy between TETFUND and the State Government would translate into our higher institutions being modern environments where learning, teaching and community development will be optimized. I was at Godfrey Okoye University Enugu where the incoming governor-elect unveiled his manifesto. Peter Mbah has a very good idea of what he wants to do in Enugu State. What we are praying God is for enablement to translate those dreams into realities because he has a very good vision. Assuring on his resolve, the governor-elect, Peter Mbah, had in his acceptance speech, declared that, “You did not go through all those grueling moments for the sake of the fleeting berries of today. You made a huge investment for your tomorrow, for the tomorrow of your children and children’s children. You chose to deprive yourselves of the perishable and glittering rewards of now so that a greater tomorrow can come. Let me pledge to you, once again, that I will serve you and dedicate every of the 1,461 days that make up this initial tenure of office to serving you. I will remember the coarse road you travailed to get us here. In reply, we will speak resoundingly with policies of the government that will give you comfort and rest of mind”.
We are in a hurry to unleash the tech talents in our young people, and grow and nurture their interest in business and vocational skills. We shall build a School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), an Innovation Incubation Centre, as well as a Skill Enhancement Centre in each of the three senatorial zones. Education is acquired through learning, in an ink and page. Giving wings to her devotees, to explore the world wits. Available for all brains, and giving victory to them to conquer ignorance. It ignores the charlatan, and feels the yearning hearts. Expensive, but thereafter enlightening. Bitter to get but sweet to have, the Governor-elect further said.
Prof. Augustine Uchechukwu Nweze
The Rector, Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu
