The Imo State Government has begun the building of new primary schools in each of the 305 electoral wards in the state, as well as the construction of Laboratories and Libraries in all the secondary schools in the state.
Governor Hope Uzodinma disclosed this at the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, AIFCE, Owerri, staring that the project was to consolidate his government’s efforts to strengthen education standards in the state.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to encourage youths of the state to achieve their academic dreams, adding that his government would henceforth offer automatic employment to graduates of any of the tertiary institutions in the state who bag a first class honours degree.
Uzodinma pointed out that the beneficiaries may opt for the alternative, which is an opportunity to pursue a postgraduate programme in any of the higher institutions of their choice in the country through government sponsorship.
He noted that every reasonable person in position of authority in Imo State must prioritise education and invest in it.
He said, “This is why, as the Governor of Imo State, I have been able to establish the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, in addition to the recovery of K. O. Mbadiwe University Ogboko, making Imo State one of the States that is funding three Universities, a Polytechnic and a College of education, which is not a mean task.”
He added, “the Government is planning to construct standard laboratories and libraries in all Imo Secondary Schools to enhance teaching and learning and guarantee quality education to our children,”
Governor Uzodinma urged the Communities to ensure they protect the facilities when they are completed, stating further that plans have been completed to revive the State’s Scholarship Board to enable it to resume its statutory functions of assisting indigents and brilliant students in the State to access quality education.
He then felicitated the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education on its 60th anniversary celebration, assuring his continued support to the growth and development of the institution.
The Institution’s Provost, Dr Stella Ngozi Lemechi, had earlier appreciated Governor Uzodimma’s notable interest in the institution, which she said led to his deserving conferment of the Diamond Award.
She further commended the Governor for the recovery of lands and property belonging to the college taken by the previous administration in the state and also for choosing a lecturer from the institution as his running mate for the 2023 governorship election scheduled for November 11, 2023.
Uzodinma, being with the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Diamond Jubilee Award by the Provost, Dr Stella Lemchi, while the NCCE Executive Secretary, Prof. Paulinus Okwelle watched, recently.
