By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
Provost of College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Professor Uchenna Ekwochi, said Governor Peter Mbah’s Smart Green School initiative is laying the foundation for a generation of globally competitive children through quality, technology-driven education.
Professor Ekwochi made the remark during the Cultural Day celebration at the Enugu Smart Green School, Umueze Awkunanaw, Nkanu West Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, where he commended the state government for its bold investment in educational transformation.
Describing the Smart Green School initiative as a visionary intervention, the renowned paediatrician said the facilities in the institutions provide pupils with the knowledge, digital skills and experiential learning needed to compete successfully with their peers anywhere in the world.
He emphasized that he attended the event not only to celebrate with the pupils but to also inspire them, reminding the young ones that every successful professional was once a young learner with dreams and aspirations.
Professor Ekwochi, who celebrated his birthday alongside his son, Gideon, with the pupils, thanked the state government for bringing the world-class educational facility to the community.
The Provost also praised the siting of a Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centre beside the school, describing it as a strategic intervention that would improve access to quality healthcare, strengthen primary healthcare delivery and enhance the well-being of residents.
According to him, communities across the state no longer have to lobby for government projects, noting that the equitable distribution of development projects reflects Gov. Mbah’s commitment to inclusive governance and balanced development.
He urged members of the community to take ownership of the Smart Green School by protecting its facilities from vandalism, stressing that public participation is essential to sustaining government’s investment in education.
As part of efforts to promote academic excellence, Professor Ekwochi, who fully sponsored the school’s Cultural Day celebration, announced a cash award of ₦100,000 for the overall best graduating Primary Six pupil progressing to Junior Secondary School.
Also speaking, the Igwe-elect of Umueze Awkunanaw, Dr. Emeka Ani, thanked the governor for bringing the Smart Green School to the community, describing it as a landmark investment in the future of children.
He assured that the community would safeguard the facility and commended Professor Ekwochi for his longstanding contributions to education, scholarships and community development.
Similarly, a stakeholder from the community, Surveyor Geoffrey Agbo, described the Smart Green School as a transformative project that would expose children to modern digital learning and prepare them for future technological challenges.
He urged residents to protect the facility while describing it as a collective asset for present and future generations.
Earlier, the school’s Head Teacher, Mrs. Ngene Nwabueze, expressed appreciation to the Provost for sponsoring the successful Cultural Day celebration.
She also praised Gov. Mbah for delivering a state-of-the-art Smart Green School equipped with 25 modern classrooms, solar-powered electricity, potable water, smart boards, computers, science laboratories, digital library, campus-wide internet connectivity and other experiential learning facilities, adding that the initiative has set a new benchmark for basic education in the state and beyond.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Gov. Mbah addressing a gathering of academics…File photo.
