A silent revolution, pioneered by Ugo Igbo-Ukwu Foundation, seems set to change the face of education in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Special Correspondent, OKEY MADUFORO, writes.
In the last three years, candidates of Anambra State have continued to come tops in the West African Examination Council (WAEC) as well as National Examination Council (NECO) tests. This success story, many say, is a product of the concerted efforts by the state government in improving the education sector.
Before now, there had been overt drop in male enrolment in school which sociologists had attributed to undue emphasis on material acquisition by the upcoming generation in the area. While the rush for money lasted, the education sector continued to be neglected.
But there has been a surge lately in the sector with the increase in the sector, especially with private individuals and establishments complementing government’s actions on education.
It was in the light of the emerging trend that Barth Nwibe, who hails from Igbo-Ukwu, Aguata Local Government Area of the state, performed the annual exercise of encouraging academic excellence among the youth in the area.
The programme, which is part of the Ugo Igbo-Ukwu Foundation, has in the last 10 years been supporting the education sector through organising debates and quiz competitions among primary and post-primary schools.
At the event, which took place recently in Ekwulobia stadium, Nwibe, an engineer, played host to students and pupils as well as stakeholders in education.
A total of 40 students, who emerged from a careful, meritorious selection process from the primary to the tertiary school levels were rewarded with laptops.
Nwibe told TheNiche: “Education is very essential to the growth of our society. There is no doubt that with good and quality education in place, the society would be better off.
“This is one of the legacies with which they can become functional members of the society. Education fights crime. It also develops the raw potentials of a man and makes him contribute positively to the growth of the society.”
He remarked that the exercise had lasted more than 10 years, adding that “some of the beneficiaries are today graduates and undergraduates” across the local government area.
“I see this as necessary. That explains why every year we assemble here to celebrate academic excellence that is devoid of any sharp practice. I am a product of not just education, but good education, and it behoves me to give back what the society has given to me.
“In those days, when we were in school, I recall attending quiz competitions, debates and march past. We had healthy contests in those days and were given gifts by the organisers. In fact, we looked forward to it every year and were always prepared to contest among our peers,” he said.
Nwibe, however, decried the fall in the reading habit among students, stressing that, “Students do not read novels these days. I recall during long vacations we used to exchange novels and at the end of the holiday you were mandated to tell how many books you had read, and students would write a story on one of those novels. Students do not go to libraries these days and it is a sad commentary on our educational system. You can also see that books were shared to students in order to encourage them to read.”
Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, who represented Governor Willie Obiano at the occasion, described the exercise as a success story, adding that it would continue to play pivotal role in enhancing teaching and learning.
“This endeavour is one that deserves emulation by all and sundry in Anambra State. When we embark on such projects, they go a long way in playing pivotal role in teaching and learning. I urge others to borrow a leaf from what Engineer Barth Nwibe is doing. The scholarship scheme is one of the ways of supporting the gains made by the Willie Obiano administration in education. These are the type of role models that our children should have,” she enthused.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Uchenna Nwosu, described Nwibe as a rare breed who attained success through hard work. He enjoined parents and students to seek education, noting that it holds the key to the progress of the society.
TheNiche gathered that Nwibe, who is 54 years old, has been awarding scholarships in the last 11 years through his Ugo Igbo-Ukwu Foundation. Over 1,000 students, 700 of which are graduates, have gained from the exercise.
The Civil Engineering graduate of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), began as a Pupil Engineer at UMEC Associates and later joined WOG Allied Services Limited. He is counted among Nigeria’s first generation of directional drilling specialists. He is the Chief Executive officer of SEGOFS Energy Services Limited which was established in 2006.
The firm is an upstream oil and gas company that specialises in drilling, measurements and engineering services.
