Professor Chukwuma Soludo, a fecund academic prodigy and cosmopolitan intellectual, with deserving front seat in the global assemblage of financial technocrats, has yet proved that he is a consummate administrator with profound understanding of the role that contemporary education can play in the formation of our famed leaders of tomorrow.
Today, I forbid myself from the hackneyed rendition of the Governor’s positive footprints in every facet of governance in my native Anambra. I wish to talk about the Governor’s unrelenting sustenance of the impeccable academic records of Anambra schools. The Governor is determined to nurture Anambra school children for favourable competition in the global marketplace.
I am talking about sustaining a culture of academic excellence begun in the days of yore and transmitted to our generation by our founding fathers, who themselves were profoundly educated. The eastern axis of the country has been blessed in pre and post independence era with a plethora of commanding intelligentsia.
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. M. I. Okpara, Dr. Akanu Ibiam, Dr. K. I. Mbadiwe, Dr. Nwafor Orizu, Professor Chinua Achebe are some of the noteworthy icons of that era..
Post civil war announced on stage great minds like Ajie Ukpabi Asika, Dr Ejiogu, Dr. Offiah Nwali, Dr. Alex Ekwueme and an array of professionals from diverse fields of learning. The dedication and commitment of these great minds in sustaining the dreams of the founding fathers resonated in the newly created Anambra State since 1992.
While “penkelemes and cocastic” figure heads were jostling for political offices in other climes, the Harvard trained, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife opened the floodgate for the emergence of highly cerebral individuals like Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Dr. Chris Ngige, Peter Obi, Willie Obiano and now, Professor Chukwuma Soludo.
Soludo seems determined to motivate Anambra schools to the grandeur of global academic excellence. With incontrovertible records already achieved in WAEC, NECO and JAMB examinations by Anambra students over the years, teachers and schools in the State have picked up the baton, and have now hit a new height in academic excellence.
A review of the latest achievements of schools in the State is a celebration of Governor Soludo’s commitment to academic revolution.
Anambra teacher, Mr. Joseph Afamefuna Nwosu, from GTC Osomala in Ogbaru LG,has emerged as the overall best teacher in the country, in all categories in the Federal Government list.
The 2nd best Secondary school in the country was won by Holy Child Secondary school, Isuofia, Aguata LG while the 2nd best Primary school Headteacher was won by Franca Chukwudumeme of Aforigwe Primary school, Umudioka, Anaocha LG.
Dr. Grace Umezinwa of Girls High School, Uga in Aguata LG won the prize for the 2nd best Principal in Nigeria.
And to top the cake with adequate icing, teachers from the State took the first position in a match past, in which the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, participated.
I Congratulate Governor Soludo. He deserves great commendation for he has forged on with great determination. His commitment to learning and pursuit of knowledge have set a remarkable record for Anambra school children. His Administration’s investment in the education of Anambra children has inspired the children and their teachers to achieve academic excellence and to pursue their career aspirations with even greater vigour.
Obi Okoli
Writes from Abuja.
