Our best investment is in Education, says Governor Ugwuanyi
…Commissions some equipment procured for Technical and Vocational Schools
Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State yesterday commissioned some equipment recently procured by the state government for Technical and Vocational Schools in the state, saying that the best investment of his administration is in Education.
Gov. Ugwuanyi who also performed the commissioning of facilities repairs for teaching and learning across the Technical Colleges and Special Science Schools in the State, equally inspected exhibitions of craft and equipment built by talented students of technical schools.
Addressing the gathering, the governor stated that the procurement was in keeping with his administration’s commitment to revitalise Science, Vocational and Technical Education in Enugu State.
He also said that it was in fulfilment of the pledge he made during the inauguration of the Board last year, to offer it all necessary support and cooperation to ensure success in its mandate to boost employment opportunities for the youths through specialized manpower development programmes.
Gov. Ugwuanyi noted that the decision became necessary “in view of the aspirations of government to make Enugu State the hub of business and commercial activities in the South East, more especially through the attraction of foreign and local investments in various areas of enterprise”.
“We have since then, continued to do our best to fulfill that promise part of which was the approval and release of funds for the purchase of essential equipment for our technical and vocational schools.
“There is no doubt that these equipment will help in no small measure, to enhance skill acquisition and technical expertise among our children and position them to serve the needs of the state’s growing business and industrial environment”, the governor stated.
The governor while thanking the Chairman and members of the Board for the efforts they have been making towards the effective discharge of their “very important mandate”, used the opportunity to call on corporate organizations, industrial concerns and interested bodies within and outside the state, to assist the Government in ensuring the promotion and improvement of Science Technical and Vocational Education in the State especially, through the donation of relevant equipment and facilities, sponsorship of programmes in the schools as well as partnerships with the state government in educational enhancement projects.
He opined that “in this way, they will be helping to build a robust and progressive pedestal for harnessing the State’s scientific, technical and vocational potentials for the benefit of our people and the country at large”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Board, Sir Obi Kama, expressed delight at the governor’s presence to commission the equipment as well as his “timely approval and subsequent support for the implementation of this laudable project”.
The Chairman disclosed that about twenty four Technical and Vocational Colleges as well as other Special Science Schools would benefit from the procured equipment as well as facilities repairs, according to their needs assessments and comparative advantages.
He listed the items to include: brand new lathe machines, sewing machines and dryers, catering equipment, reconstruction, repairs and fortification of workshop buildings/classrooms as well as desktop computers.
Gov. Ugwuanyi while inspecting craft and inventions by some talented students of technical schools, invited five of them with the Board Chairman and Heads of Departments to the next meeting of the State Executive Council for deliberation on how to support the students develop their potentials.
