“If Other People Are Copying from Outside, We from Within Should Even Copy Better” — Mike Ogbuekwe Backs Mbah’s Smart Schools Vision

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Nkanu East Local Government Chairmanship election, Hon. Engr. Mike Chikosolu Ogbuekwe, has reaffirmed his commitment to aligning with Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s education reform agenda, describing the administration’s Smart Green Schools initiative as a blueprint for building a globally competitive generation of young people in Enugu State.

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Engr. Ogbuekwe, popularly known as Mmirioma Na Nkanu, made the remarks during an interview on The VAR Podcast, where he stressed that local governments should align their policies and programmes with the developmental vision of the state government.

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«”If other people are copying from outside, then we from within should even copy better. We already have a governor who has set a working template for us. He is our mentor, our father and our adviser. We watch and learn,” he said.»

According to the APC chairmanship candidate, the first responsibility of any local administration is to strategically align with the governor’s vision, particularly in the implementation of the Smart Green Schools initiative, which he said is transforming the education sector across the state.

He explained that the initiative is designed not only to provide modern school infrastructure but also to create an upgraded learning experience through technology-driven education, experiential learning and a world-class curriculum that equips pupils to compete globally.

Engr. Ogbuekwe noted that Enugu students are already recording impressive performances in national academic competitions, including Mathematics and Physics Olympiads, describing the achievements as early indicators of the success of the state’s education reforms.

He said that if elected chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Area, his administration would prioritise the effective operationalisation of the Smart Green Schools in the council by ensuring that they function in line with the governor’s vision, with adequate security, reliable electricity, motivated teachers and a conducive learning environment for pupils.

The APC candidate argued that investment in education remains the most sustainable path to economic transformation, noting that countries that successfully overcame poverty did so by prioritising the education of younger generations.

He likened the process to nurturing fresh growth, explaining that while older generations may be resistant to change, educating children creates a new generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, technology founders and skilled professionals capable of driving long-term development.

According to him, Governor Mbah’s vision is to position Enugu State as a hub for innovation and a source of globally competitive talent through sustained investment in quality education.

The Smart Green Schools initiative is one of the flagship programmes of the Mbah administration, aimed at modernising basic education through digital technology, smart classrooms, improved infrastructure and contemporary teaching methods across the state’s 260 political wards.