Today marks a significant milestone in our nation’s history as we join the global community in celebrating the International Day of Education.
This day holds special meaning for me, given my firm belief in the transformative power of education in driving development and innovation.
In this spirit, I join other education enthusiasts, particularly in Eastern Nigeria, in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha. This esteemed institution will use its centenary celebration to highlight its remarkable contributions to education in Nigeria.
These events underscore the critical importance of education in unlocking our nation’s potential. As part of these celebrations, I visited schools in Anambra State, both in urban areas and the hinterlands.
At DMGS, I celebrated their centenary by highlighting some of the school’s distinguished alumni who have excelled in various fields, encouraging students to follow in their footsteps. Notable alumni include Prof. Kenneth Dike, the first Black Vice-Chancellor in Africa; Emmanuel Ifeajuna, the first African to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games; Bishop Jonathan Onyemelukwe; Prof. James Ezeilo, former Vice Chancellor of Nsukka; Prof. Ilochi Okafor, former VC of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Dr. Tim Menakaya, Nigeria’s former Minister of Health; and Chief Simon Okeke, former Chairman of the Police Service Commission. These accomplished individuals exemplify the transformative power of education.
I urged the students to take their education seriously, reminding them that with dedication and hard work, they too could achieve greatness like these notable figures.
I also visited Nmiata-Anam, a community close to my heart. During my gubernatorial campaign, I traveled to the town by boat due to the lack of accessible roads. I promised the community that I would construct a bridge and a road in the area. Today, I am proud to say that this promise has been fulfilled, connecting the town to the rest of the state.
In celebration of World Education Day, I also visited Community Primary School, Nmiata-Anam, and Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School, Nmiata-Anam. At both schools, I interacted with the pupils and students, reminding them of the importance of education and pledging my support to the schools.
Education remains a powerful tool for training a skilled workforce, driving innovation, and fostering sustainable development. Countries like India, China, Morocco, and Egypt have shown the profound connection between education and national progress, significantly improving their global standing through strategic investments in education.
However, Nigeria continues to face significant challenges in its education sector, including poor funding, a shortage of qualified teachers, outdated curricula, corruption, and insecurity. It is the government’s responsibility to address these issues and ensure every Nigerian child receives at least a basic education. By making education a priority, we can build a productive population that will drive our nation toward progress.
As we celebrate these milestones, let us commit to building a nation where every child has access to quality learning. A New Nigeria is possible if we invest in education and unlock our nation’s full potential.
