Gov. Mbah Using Smart, Innovative Education As Surest Way Of Eradicating Poverty – Anyaegbudike
The Chairman of Oji River Local Government Area, Mr Greg Anyaegbudike, says Gov. Peter Mbah is using his visionary smart, innovative and technological-driven education as surest way of eradicating poverty at the grassroots.
Anyaegbudike said this at the weekend at an annual colloquium held by the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) University of Nigeria Enugu Campus to commemorate the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
The theme of the colloquium was: “Reimagining Local Governance for Poverty Reduction”.
Anyaegbudike, who served as a panelist. commended Gov. Peter Mbah, for building of brand new Smart Green Schools across the 260 electoral wards in Enugu State.
“Education is the most effective weapon against poverty, and these Smart Green schools are the surest route to ending poverty at the grassroots.
“These 21 century new technological-driven and innovative Smart Green schools expose children to skills and technology, preparing them for the world they will live and work in.
“Currently, we are blessed to have 20 Smart Green schools in 20 political wards in Oji River Council Area.
“As a council area, we are grateful to our visionary governor, His Excellency Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for ensuring Oji River children are well-prepared to take possession of the future and be the best of themselves,” he said.
The chairman highlighted other investments and programmes his administration at the local level had being executing to complement Gov. Mbah’s vision and efforts to eradicate both present and generational poverty among the people.
“We have awarded scholarships to 49 indigenes of Oji River at the Enugu State College of Health Technology, Oji River and 73 at the Federal Co-operative College, Oji River, bringing the total number of the beneficiaries to 122.
“I believe that education remains the most powerful tool for eradicating poverty.
“The process of the second edition of the scholarship programme in both schools is ongoing,” he said.
According to him, in Oji River, we give a monthly business grant of N100,000 to each of 20 women selected across the electoral wards, from which over 500 women have benefitted already.
Anyaegbudike reiterated that the second term of his administration would focus on human capital development.
“We will also invest in education, skills acquisition and enterprise so that our people can lift themselves out of poverty sustainably,” he said.
The chairman reaffirmed his administration commitment to inclusive growth for every segment of Oji River Council Area.
Anyaegbudike, who is also a doctoral student of the Institute for Development Studies (IDS), commended the institute for organising the colloquium and for the apt theme.
Also, Dr. Joe Abah, Country Director of DAI Global. was the lead paper presenter on the theme of the colloquium.
