The newly appointed Chairman of the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Associate Prof. Hyginus Banko Okibe, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Barr. Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for his elevation to this pivotal role. During his appreciation message, Okibe underscored the critical importance of education in realizing the Governor's vision for a future-ready Enugu State.
In his address, Prof. Okibe highlighted the Governor's commitment to educational transformation through strategic policy decisions and increased budgetary allocations. "The Governor understands that education is the cradle of efforts to build human resources fit for the modern world," he stated, referencing the Governor's vision of integrating science, technology, artificial intelligence, and other emerging global developments into the education system.
Okibe emphasized the need for concerted efforts to align educational content with the state's action plans, pointing out the unprecedented 33% budgetary allocation to the education sector and the timely payment of UBEC matching grants. He called for broad collaboration to mobilize resources for teachers' professional development, quality personnel recruitment, and the expansion of educational facilities.
"The opportunity given to me by our Governor is a rare privilege that calls for commitment to transforming the system," Prof. Okibe noted. He stressed the need for a paradigm shift away from self-serving politics in education, advocating for a collective approach to achieving the state's educational goals.
He went further to outline ENSUBEB's dedication to enhancing the basic education curriculum, broadening teaching opportunities, and ensuring due process in its operations. "We must abhor self-serving politics in education that derail government objectives," he urged, calling on all stakeholders to support the new system.
In his move towards practical education, Professor Okibe launched the 2022/2023 Agricultural Education training programme at Independence Layout Primary School, Enugu. The programme aims to equip headteachers, teachers, and pupils with agricultural skills and knowledge.
During the launch, Prof. Okibe underscored agriculture's role in economic development and addressing hunger, emphasizing the need for schools to engage in farming activities. He announced an upcoming agricultural trade fair where schools will showcase their produce.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro Industrialisation, Dr. Patrick Nwabueze Ubru, delivered a keynote address, stressing the essential role of agriculture in life and development. He announced the distribution of 12,000 bags of fertilizer to registered farmers and highlighted Enugu State's initiatives in dry season farming and rice production.
Dr. Amaka S. Ngene, Executive Chairman of STVSMB, praised the child-centered approach of the agricultural training programme, aimed at fostering future agricultural careers or hobbies among pupils. She outlined the programme's objectives, including skill provision for self-employment.
Hon. Mrs. Nwakaego Ajah, Permanent Member 3, expressed gratitude to the Governor, the ENSUBEB Chairman, and UBEC for making Agricultural Science more practical-oriented at Basic Schools. She urged participants to take the training seriously to enhance their dignity in labor.
The event also featured a goodwill message from Ambassador Patience Madlion, Managing Director of Safari 54, a prominent farmer. Lectures on food crops, planting, and care were delivered, and farm inputs were distributed to various schools. The highlight was the decoration of Dr. Amaka Ngene by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro Industrialisation.
The newly appointed ENSUBEB Chairman concluded his message with a call for unity and dedication to the shared mission of transforming Enugu's educational landscape. "Education is a collective responsibility," he stated, encouraging everyone to support the new initiatives and contribute to the promotion of teaching and learning processes at the basic education level. While the ENSUBEB Chairman embarks on this mission, he assured stakeholders of his commitment to upholding transparency, fairness, and the highest standards of educational service delivery, aiming to leave an enduring legacy in the state's education system.
