By Dr. Nkiru Onuorah
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a bold step towards strengthening the quality of basic education, the Enugu State Governor Dr. Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has officially flagged off the distribution of teaching and learning materials across the Smart Green Schools in Enugu State, under the auspices of the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
The well-attended ceremony, held at the ENSUBEB premises, brought together top government functionaries, education stakeholders, school administrators, teachers, and pupils in a colourful and impactful event that showcased the state’s unwavering commitment to educational transformation.
The Executive Chairman of Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board, Associate Professor Hyginus Banko Okibe, in a welcome address/speech, expressed gratitude to the state government and UBEC for their continued support of education, especially at the foundational level. He emphasized that the distribution exercise marks another milestone in the ongoing transformation of basic education in Enugu State.
Prof. Okibe noted that the Enugu State government has taken full responsibility for children’s education, to enable them to have equal access to education and compete with their peers across the globe. He maintained that His Excellency, Dr. Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has done so much in the basic education sector by building over 260 Smart Green Schools in the 260 political wards of Enugu State, and has commenced the equipping of the Smart Green Schools with full digital tools, which make Smart Green Schools actually Smart.
According to him, His Excellency, has made learning interesting and all-inclusive by reinforcing his vision of building a future-ready generation through accessible and high-quality basic education.
In all, over one hundred thousand textbooks, seven thousand school bags, seven thousand school sandals, several thousands of pencils, and seven thousand exercise books were among the items to be distributed.
In her speech, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Aisha Garba represented by Enugu State UBEC Officer, Mr. Innocent Onyeabor, said that the distribution is about strengthening hope, reinforcing their collective belief that every Nigerian child deserves access to quality, inclusive, and equitable basic education.
She further stated that the intervention aligns fully with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places education at the centre of national development. Dr. Garba emphasized that the statutory mandate of UBEC remains to coordinate the implementation of the Universal Basic Education programme nationwide, to encourage school enrolment, and reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
She announced that UBEC is distributing approximately fifteen million school bags, sandals, and writing materials across all the states of Nigeria, aimed at reducing the financial burden to poor families.
The UBEC Boss also emphasized that the timely provision of instructional materials would significantly enhance teaching effectiveness, and improve learning outcomes across schools.
His Excellency, Dr. Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, who was represented by Professor Benedette Okolie, the Hon. Commissioner for Human Capital Development, declared the event open, reaffirming the Governor’s dedication to repositioning the education sector through strategic investments in infrastructure, digital innovation, and instructional resources.
She reinstated His Excellency’s commitment towards sustaining the Smart Green School projects in the state, noting that the state government has placed education on high priority because of its importance in building and moulding factories of future hope.
Therefore, the distribution of materials according to her, is a critical component of the administration’s Smart Green Schools initiative aimed at delivering inclusive, equitable, and quality education. She therefore encouraged the learners to study with passion to be the pioneers of the Enugu dream.
In a goodwill message, the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Uche Callistus Ugwu, lauded the initiative and praised the state government for the huge investment in education, stating that education has the highest priority in his agenda. He described it as a strategic investment in the future of Enugu children. He reiterated that His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, mapped out 33% of the state budget in order to boost the quality of basic education in the state.
Hon Ugwu assured them of the Assembly’s continued legislative support for policies and programmes that uplift the education sector, and urged the learners to make judicious use of the materials to support the huge amount being spent on education.
In another goodwill message, the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Professor Ndubueze Mbah, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Beatrice Ewoh stressed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting ENSUBEB to ensure that the distributed materials are effectively utilized in classrooms. She urged teachers and school heads to see the resources as tools for delivering impactful and learner-centered education to make the learners pillars and great people of our tomorrow.
The Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Osita Eze highlighted the importance of oversight in ensuring transparency and accountability in the distribution process while commending ENSUBEB for its diligence and organizational excellence.
In their goodwill messages, the Executive Chairman of the Post Primary School Management Board (PPSMB), Rev. Fr. Dr. Hillary Mgbodile, and the Executive Chairman of the Science, Technical and Vocational Schools Management Board (STVSMB), Dr. Amaka S. Ngene, both applauded the initiative, noting that strengthening foundational education is key to building a robust post-primary education system.
Representatives from six Smart Green Schools were in attendance, including Owo Smart Green School, GTC SGS Campus 1, New Haven Smart Green School, Queens Smart Green School, Amechi Idodo Smart Green School, etc. The presence of enthusiastic learners added colour and excitement to the occasion, thus, reflecting the direct beneficiaries of the initiative.
The event featured the symbolic presentation of school uniforms, bags, pairs of sandals, and other instructional materials to five selected Smart Green Schools through the learners and head teachers of each school.
The distribution of teaching and learning materials is expected to enhance classroom delivery, support teachers with relevant instructional tools, and ultimately improve pupils’ academic performance across the state.
In a vote of thanks, the Permanent Member 2, Hon. Mrs. Uche Eze thanked the state Governor, Dr. Barr. Peter Mbah for his doggedness in supporting the education sector and also UBEC in their supportive role in enhancing basic education in Nigeria. She also thanked other major stakeholders in the education sector and prayed for their continued support.
The closing prayer was made by Rev. Fr. Hillary Mgbodile, who thanked God for everything and prayed that the initiative of the Enugu State Government continues to set a strong pace in educational development.