The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enugu

  • Enugu power firm donates books to schools

    As stakeholders await government to increase funding to the education sector and ensure that schools are better equipped to compete fairly with the private institutions, kind-hearted companies are doing their best to strengthen the institutions.

    The donation of books and computers to schools in Oraifite, Anambra State by Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF), a non-governmental organisation, is one of the many gestures that needed to promote sound learning environment and strengthen public schools.     Both institutions donated books and computers worth millions of dollars to 15 tertiary institutions and 30 secondary schools spread across five South Eastern states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo. Each of the five states had three tertiary institutions and six secondary schools that benefited from the scheme.

    Some of the benefiting institutions are Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT), Ebonyi State University, Abia College of Education Technical, Arochukwu, among others. The benefiting institutions were nominated by their states.

    The intervention of the EEDC and SEOF in the education sector is expected to help create more qualified graduates in the country. It will also help to ameliorate some of the challenges faced by the education sector in the country.

    Speaking at the event held in Oraifite, Anambra State, Coordinator, SEOF, Hon. Tony Obi, praised the effort of EEDC in partnering the foundation to develop the education sector. He urged the beneficiary institutions to ensure that the books and other educational materials that were donated should be used for the purpose it is meant for.

    Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, EEDC, Robert Dickerman said the gesture is in line with EEDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy of contributing towards the development of its host community.

    “We know the importance of education, we have an obligation and responsibility to our communities, our business is not just to provide electricity, our job is to help and support the communities which we are a part of”.

    For him, “education is a part of the core of the development of any society; we are very honoured to be part of this donation and we committed to take active role in the education development of the 5 states in which we are community member”.

    Dickerman said that besides lighting up homes, companies and industries, can also light up minds. “We believe that the things we are trying to do and the thoughts we have towards supporting social programmes under our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives will be best served by partnering with such a foundation,” he said.

    Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Okonkwo applauded EEDC and SEOF for this gesture which is a shining example of a CSR act, and welcomed by the state government.

    He said, “Government alone cannot accomplish all that is needed in the education sector, and it is usually a great relief when corporate establishments like EEDC come out to boil up the effort of the state government”.

    The governor said that the use of books cannot be over emphasized and that the donation would go a long way in educating the students. He said that the books will form the stock in the different libraries of the different beneficiary institutions; and will encourage them to maintain functional libraries.

  • Enugu inaugurates committees for schools inspection, discipline

    The Enugu State Government has set up monitoring and disciplinary committees to maintain standards in primary and post primary schools.

    The Commissioner for Education in the state, Prof. Uche Eze, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on yesterday that the committees had been mobilised to visit schools from the first day of the 2016/2017 academic session on September 19.

    Eze also said the government was currently supplying chairs and desks in thousands of classrooms in primary and post-primary schools in the state.

    The commissioner urged parents and students to join the ministry in its effort to stop teachers and school administrators who pulled down the standard of education in the state through nefarious activities.

    “We have started circulating a dedicated phone line – 08059842250 – to everybody, especially parents and students of post-primary institutions, who are our critical stakeholders, to report any shoddy deals for investigation by the ministry.

    “We have told parents and students that anytime they are asked to pay any levy, they should contact the ministry to enable us verify if such a levy is approved by the government.

    “We have also appealed to communities in the state to watch over school infrastructure and vehicles to ensure that nobody stole them or converted them to personal use.

    “Any teacher, headmaster or principal reported, investigated and found culpable for collecting illegal levies should be ready to face the consequences,” he warned.

    Eze noted that the staff of primary and post primary schools must reciprocate the prompt payment of their salaries by the government.

    “The state government is committed to weed out undesirable elements that continue to give the education system a bad image which had affected its standard,” he added.

    The commissioner also said that the monitoring committee recently closed down two private primary schools located in unfriendly learning environments in Enugu.

    “It is unbelievable that someone will jam-pack two primary school classes with nearly 40 pupils in a small cubicle without cross ventilation,” he said.

  • FRSC trains 2000 drivers in Enugu

    FRSC trains 2000 drivers in Enugu

    Two thousand drivers of an Enugu-based transport company, Peace Mass Transit have completed re-certification training at the Federal Road Safety Corps Academy, Udi in Enugu State.

    The 20-day training was aimed at acquainting the drivers with safety measures while on the highways with a view to saving lives. The drivers also underwent medical and psychological test as well as physical fitness.

    The Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi who presented the certificates to the drivers told them that the training was principally to save lives on the highways through careful driving.

    He said that Peace Mass Transit (PMT) has lived up to expectation of the Federal Government on safety on our roads by the regular training and retraining of its drivers.

    According to him the PMT was ahead of all other transport companies in adhering to the expectations and regulations but only had human problems, hence the training of the drivers.

    Oyeyemi charged the drivers that nothing “short of the best is expected from you the drivers as the best was given to you during the training.”

    The Chief Executive Officer of Peace Mass Transit, Chief Sam Onyishi in his remark said that from the responses of the drivers, “the money and time we spent for the training were worth it.”

    He posited that there was no other transport company in Nigeria that has embarked on such trainings other than PMT.

    He said, “Any other company that comes after us is copying from us.” While urging other transport companies to follow suit, he said the facilities at the Federal Road Safety Academy was not meant for Peace Mass Transit only.

    Onyishi urged the FRSC to publicise the academy so that other transport companies would avail themselves of the opportunity.

    Onyishi announced that the company would soon engage female drivers in its crew while expressing his preference for married men as drivers. He charged the drivers that underwent the 20-day training to always show the difference while on duty.

     

  • Oil price slide will open other sectors of economy – Soludo

    Oil price slide will open other sectors of economy – Soludo

    A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo, has said that the current slide in oil price was an opportunity for the nation to explore other vital sectors of the economy.

    He said, “every disappointment is a blessing and I see the drop in the price of oil as a great opportunity for the country to discover and harness its rich potential.’’

    Soludo stated this at the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the creation of Delta on Friday in Asaba.

    He said that though Nigeria was under excruciating pains, there was hope for the citizenry.

    Soludo, who is currently the President of African Heritage Institution, Enugu, warned that “the country cannot have competitive economy when there are political and security challenges.”

    According to him, the rate of poverty is high, militancy and kidnapping is on the increase while the current recession faced by the country is self-inflicting.

    While commending the Federal Government for fixing the exchange rate, he noted that the parallel market rate was over-shooting the market.

    The former apex governor warned that if the exchange rate continued to over-shoot, it would scare investors from coming to invest in the country.

    He advised the government to fight insurgency completely and maintain peace, saying that this would go a long way in reviving the economy of the nation.

    He added that the Federal Government should allow states to have control of their resources and pay some percentage to it.

    According to him, this will also help to stabilize the economy of the nation as well as reduce the challenges of insurgency in the country.

    While commending Delta for its anniversary, Soludo urged the state government to develop its waterways as well as its coastal communities for tourism.

    “Holidays abroad is now becoming too expensive and if Delta takes advantage of its coastal areas and develop it, it will attract tourists to the state,’’ he said.

    Soludo also urged the state government to modernize its seaports and industrial parks, adding that this would go a long way in opening up business activities in the South-South region.

    “Modernising the seaports and the industrial parks will also make Delta state an international state as well as increase trade investment.

    “It will also help to serve as an alternative to Lagos state, which is an economic hub of the nation,’’ he added.

  • Gynaecologists, obstetricians learn new skills in Enugu

    Gynaecologists, obstetricians learn new skills in Enugu

    The venue was Golden Royal Hotel, Enugu. The participants were gynaecologists, obstetricians and other health practitioners. Some passed on new skills, others imbibed hem.

    It was the one-week Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) training workshop entitled “Essential Gynaecology Skills Nigeria Pilot”. It was a programme meant to imbue all the invited health practitioners with the fundamentals of obstetrics and gynaecology in order to help them stave off the scourge of maternal mortality.

    The spate of maternal mortality all over the world has gained global attention and efforts are seriously being made to stem the prevalence of this scourge. Nigeria lost an estimated 2,300 children under the age of five and 145 women of child-bearing age every day, making it the country with the second largest number of maternal and child deaths in the world.

    So, in line with its mission of developing the education and training programme for doctors willing to specialise in obstetrics and gynaecology, the RCOG kick-started a pilot programme in three different centres all over the globe with the training in Enugu covering  the whole of Africa.

    Thanks in no small measure to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria and fellow of RCOG, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, the University of Nigeria’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology were able to jointly run the training which the training with the RCOG.

    The RCOG works to improve women’s health care across the world. Founded in 929, it has over 14,000 members worldwide and works with a range of partners both in the UK and globally to improve the standard of care delivered to women. It also encourages the study of obstetrics and gynaecology and advances the science and practice of obstetrics and gynaecology.

    Speaking on the training, Prof. Ozumba said: “The very essence of this programme is to impact knowledge to physicians who are specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology which is the art and science of looking after mothers and their unborn babies. This is the first time it is coming to Africa.”

    The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria added that the training would increase access to many Nigerian physicians who want to acquire up-to-date training and gain knowledge but are constrained by transport, money and time.

    He said that the workshop would help to expose Nigeria to the world in terms of attracting international recognition to the positive things being successfully carried out in the country.

    Ozumba went further to advice the participating physicians: “Whatever new skill you may have acquired should not be allowed to dissipate. You should build up on it, improve it, use it to offer care to mothers and their children.”

    Also speaking at the training, the Vice President-Elect of RCOG and consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Newcastle, United Kingdom, Mr. Hani Fawzi said the organisation remains “very proud of our relationship with Nigeria.” He said Nigerians in Diaspora formed a liaison group and together they collaborated to bring the workshop down to Enugu.

    Fawzi pointed out that the training is a pilot course that is about to be launched next year.

    Dr. Suzy El-Neil, a consultant gynaecologist at the University College Hospital, London and Chair Global Health Project Development Committee, was also in Enugu to train the participants. Dr. El-Neil said she was working with Mr. Fawzi to develop the course on the essential skills in gynaecology.

    “The way forward for all of us is to improve our knowledge and training of our entire medical and para-medical cartel to sort of improve our knowledge in this area,” Dr. El-Neil said.

    Asked about the essence of the pilot course, she added: “Essentially, it is really to try to help all of us upscale, have better knowledge in the basics of gynaecology and how to prevent major trauma and impact on our female population.

    “The training is something that is very much wanted by people working in the field of global women’s health particularly just to improve the environmental conditions and the medical conditions and medical care processes for women in different settings.”

    The Course Director and consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist in the United Kingdom, Prof. Samson Agwu said the RCOG has enough confidence in Nigeria and that was why Enugu was selected to host the African version of the pilot programme.

    On the aim of the training, he said: “The whole aim is to contribute to the reduction of maternal death from gynaecological causes. We have run a similar programme with the emergency obstetrics and over four year we noticed a drop of death from obstetric child birth problems all over the world especially in under-resourced countries like Nigeria.ý”

    The course director was optimistic that the training would “help us to make an inroad into the reduction of maternal death.”

  • Redeem your campaign promises to Enugu, Ugwuanyi tells Buhari

    Redeem your campaign promises to Enugu, Ugwuanyi tells Buhari

    •Governor, ministers at state’s Town Hall meeting

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to redeem the promises he made to the people of the state during his campaign.

    The governor spoke yesterday in Enugu at a town hall meeting organised by the Federal Ministry of Information.

    He said the appeal became imperative, following the epileptic power supply in the country.

    Ugwuanyi said the poor state of electricity across the country was discouraging investments.

    The governor also urged the Federal Government to make substantial investment in the Ugwuoba Gas Field in Oji River Local Government Area.

    He said: “I recall the President’s campaign promise to revive the coal mines in Enugu and utilise it to generate electricity.

    “Coal is a major energy source in some countries of the world and we have it in abundance in the state. If this is done, it will directly or indirectly create jobs for millions of Nigerians.”

    Ugwuanyi also reminded the Federal Government of the Ada Rice Farm Irrigation Project it started in the state in 2007, adding that work had since stopped on the site.

    The governor said the project was critical and important to the state government, following efforts to diversify the economy and make the country self-sufficient in rice production.

    He said: “Of very critical importance to us is the Ada Rice Farm in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area. The project has the capacity for low gravity irrigation and has the potential of expansion to cover 10,000 hectares.

    “Unfortunately, only 1,200 hectares of irrigable land have been fully developed. The Federal Government started the rehabilitation of the project in 2007. Sadly, progress in this regard has stalled.”

    The governor appealed to the Federal Government to re-evaluate the project to make it fully functional, adding that it would provide employment and boost economic activities in the area.

    He regretted that some Federal Government agencies in the state were indebted to it and contributed to its financial stress.

    Ugwuanyi said: “The government of the state will in this regard appreciate the intervention of the Federal Government to ensure the payment of huge debts owed the state by some federal agencies and establishments in the state.

    “They are the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, which owe N2.3 billion, N10 billion and N190 million in tax returns.

    “These institutions have continued to owe even though the state government provides infrastructure and other ancillary supports to them.”

    The governor hailed the Federal Government for providing bailout funds to states, saying this had assisted them to wriggle out of some financial challenges.

    He said: “While we commend the Federal Government for providing the bailout funds, we do humbly appeal for the release of more resources to the states to enable them discharge their ever increasing responsibilities.”

    “We request for Federal Government’s intervention in the rehabilitation of its roads linking the Southeast states. They are in deplorable condition.”

    Ugwuanyi called for the economic encouragement of the zone to stem capital flight by localising skills acquisition among the youths to increase productivity.

    “I thank the Minister of Information and Culture for bringing this meeting to the zone. I am convinced that the presence of these ministers will help usher in the new vista of development for Enugu State and other parts of the Southeast region.”

    Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed said the Federal Government was not unmindful of the sufferings of Nigerians, assuring that the difficult times would not last.

    He said the Federal Government would evenly develop all parts of the country, adding that no region would be short-changed.

    On the deplorable condition of the roads in the zone, Mohammed said the Federal Government had mobilised contractors to begin work on some of them.

    He said the rains might have hindered the progress of work on the roads.

     

  • Enugu APC vice chair sacked for criticising Ekweremadu

    Enugu APC vice chair sacked for criticising Ekweremadu

    •Members kick 

    The Zonal Organising Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu East Senatorial District, Mr Emeka Anike, has condemned the party’s State Chairman Ben Nwoye for allegedly sacking the zone’s Vice Chairman Anike Nwoga.

    At a meeting he convened yesterday, Nwoye sacked Anike for publicly berating Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who wrote to the international community to intervene in the prosecution of the Senate leadership for alleged forgery.

    Last weekend in Awgu Local Government Area, Anike said: “Senator Ekweremadu should retract the letter he wrote to the international community because the desperate letter is 360 degrees at variance with the oath of office he did solemnly swore to, which states inter alia ‘…that I will be faithful and bear the allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria …and always in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well being and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria…’

    “By this unwarranted letter, he has desecrated the Constitution, tarnished the image of Nigeria and, by extension, our dear President. As a senior lawyer, we had expected him to maintain his earlier statement that he has faith in Almighty God and the Nigerian courts.’

    “Where is President Muhammadu Buhari in this matter? How is democracy being threatened? Why is he panicky, without exhausting the court process?’

    “Senator Hilary Clinton, presumptive presidential candidate of the Democratic Party in the United States, is being tried over the email issue. Has she written to United Nations (UN) or Nigeria?”

    Earlier, Nwoye had directed Anike to retract the statement he made late last year when he advised former Anambra State Governor Jim Nwobodo to go and sort out his involvement in the Dasukigate, a directive Anike reportedly did not listen to.

    The chairman set up a panel, which was said to be at variance with Article 21(4)(c) and other relevant sections of the constitution of the APC.

    Various sections in the party’s constitution stipulate the careful steps with the intendment to ensure peace and harmony should be made on critical issues.

    While the panel was sitting, Anike said: “My understanding is that Nwoye is inclined more to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) than the growth of the APC. He attacked Mrs Kate Ofor for opposing the governor for appointing caretaker committees to run the local government areas. He attacked Anike for advising Chief Nwobodo to cleanse himself of Dasukigate before joining the APC ‘he worked against’.

  • Succour for 90 widows in Enugu

    Succour for 90 widows in Enugu

    The Battle Axe Women Fellowship International, (BAWFI), Enugu has extended a hand of support to widows, giving them food items, clothing and a sense of belonging.

    The event took place at the Living Praise Worship Centre For All Nations in the state capital, and had guests from over five countries, including England and South Africa.

    The major attraction at the ceremony was the presence of over 90 widows from the five southeastern states of the country.

    The president of BAWFI Dr. Mrs. Linda Oge Okoye said the organisation thought it best to celebrate motherhood with needy women who lost their husbands.

    She said, “We decided to be remembering them every year, and we not only present food items and clothing materials to them, we also empower some of them with cash to improve on their business.”

    The president stated that by their little support, they believed that the gesture would alleviate their sufferings, put a smile on their faces and reduce their burden.

    Okoye, a former dean, Faculty of Dentistry, College of Medicine of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, explained that the main purpose for their celebration was to find a platform to empower some widows, give them a sense of belonging and cause them to forget their worries.

    She said that the organisation could do more for Nigerian women but is handicapped financially, and called on the government, the wealthy, corporate Nigeria and those with like minds to assist them in reducing poverty which is ravaging Nigerian widows.

    Responding on behalf of the widows, Mrs. Ruth Iwundu said that their hearts were filled with joy with that singular display of love for several years.

    Iwundu, full of gratitude for their kind gesture, remarked that “our prayer is that you will never be a widow, you live and live with your husband, you have shown us genuine love and God will bless you abundantly and members of your family and replenish your expenses at this period of poor economy which has resulted to hard times.

    Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of food items and cash to the over 90 widows, drawn from five south eastern states of the country by Dr. Oge Okoye.

    The spiritual director of Living Praise Worship Center, Pastor Emeka Okoye, the women leader of Battle Axe Women, Evangelist Uzoamaka Cosmas, the PRO, Mrs. Chika Chukwuemeka and Deaconess Charity Otuu, also graced the occasion.

  • Health boost for newborns in Enugu

    Health boost for newborns in Enugu

    The Minister for Health, Prof. Isaac Adewale has re-affirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to continue to partner with relevant organisations with a view to improving the welfare of newborn babies.

    The dropped the hint in Enugu while declaring open the 9th annual and scientific meeting of the Nigerian Society of Neonatal Medicine at the Nondon Hotel.

    The minister who was represented by the Chief Medical Director of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, Dr. Chris Amah said that apart from partnership which was inevitable for effective coverage of the large Nigerian population, government was taking the issues of primary healthcare very seriously.

    While expressing government’s readiness to work with NISONM to ensure better welfare for newborns and reduce maternal mortality in the country because of its abilities, the minister promised Nigerians a better and functional healthcare programme that would address all issues of maternal health

    He expressed: “I note with interest the theme for your 2016 meeting, “Newborn health in the context of the sustainable development goals” and sub theme: “establishing partnerships for maternal and newborn health, how far, so far?” and observed that the choice is apt for a country like Nigeria against the backdrop of our health challenges.

    In her opening remarks, the president of the Nigerian Society of Neonatal Medicine (NISONM), Prof. Chinyere Veronica Ezeaka, said that the organisation had committed technical skills, promoted quality newborn care and facilitated national and international collaborations to strengthen the implementation process of reducing Neonatal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria.

    Ezeaka, who is of the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH), stated that those momentous strides were supported by their strategic objectives and operational plan which hinged on massive advocacy, capacity building, social mobilisation, dissemination of best practices approach, development and strengthening of partnerships, operational research, monitoring and evaluation.

    According to her NISONM’s vision is “a Nigeria in which there are no preventable newborn deaths or still births, where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth celebrated and women, babies, children survive and reach their full potentials.”

    The renowned paediatrician explained that the theme of the conference “newborn health in the context of the sustainable development goals”, and the sub theme, “establishing partnerships for maternal and newborn health: how far? So far” were quite apt to address our current challenges, especially asphyxia, newborn sepsis, prematurity and neonatal jaundice.

    “Our activities span through community mobilisation and health talks at Ndiabor, in Aninri Local government area of Enugu State , on prevention of newborn infections, use of 4% chlorhezidine gel for cord care; pre-conference workshops with skills practice sessions on-helping babies breathe/essential newborn care for community respiratory support-C bubble CPAP, Pumani CPAP and mechanical ventilation; venous access with central venous catheters (PICC) and C) Didactic scholarly presentations on newborn survival, prematurity,  neonatal jaundice and newborn nutrition!”

     

     

  • Enugu power firm donates books, computers to schools

    The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), in partnership with Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF), a non-governmental organisation, has donated books and computers worth millions of dollars to 15 tertiary institutions and 30 secondary schools across the Southeast states.

    The power distribution firm made the donation at Oraifite, Anambra State.

    The benefiting schools were made up of 3 tertiary institutions and 6 secondary schools from each of the states, and were nominated by their respective state governments.

    In his welcome address, the Coordinator, SEOF, Hon. Tony Obi, commended the effort of EEDC in partnering the Foundation to drive its objective towards the development of the education sector, which the Foundation has been involved in across the country over the years.

    He said that the gesture by EEDC is worthwhile to the society and for posterity.

    Obi stressed that the books and other educational materials that were donated must be used for the purpose it was meant for.

    He went on to charge the benefiting schools to ensure that their libraries are functional, as their monitoring team would be paying unscheduled visit to the schools to monitor and ascertain how well the books are being used.

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, EEDC, Mr. Robert Dickerman while delivering his address said that the gesture is in line with EEDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy of contributing towards the development of its host community.

    “We know the importance of education, we have an obligation and responsibility to our communities, our business is not just to provide electricity, our job is to help and support the communities which we are a part of”, he explained.

    He went on to say that, “education is a part of the core of the development of any society; we are very honoured to be part of this donation and we committed to take active role in the education development of the 5 states in which we are community member”.

    Dickerman said that besides lighting up homes, companies and industries, we can also light up minds; “this, the company is doing through partnering Sir Emeka Offor Foundation. “

    “We believe that the things we are trying to do and the thoughts we have towards supporting social programmes under our CSR initiatives will be best served by partnering with such a foundation. They have international partners like Book For Africa (BFA) and many others; and we are comfortable partnering with them”.

    The governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Okonkwo applauded EEDC and SEOF for the gesture which is a shining example of a CSR act, and welcomed by the state government.

    He said, “Government alone cannot accomplish all that is needed in the education sector, and it is usually a great relief when corporate establishments like EEDC come out to boil up the effort of the state government.”

    The governor stressed that the use of books cannot be over stressed, and that the donation of the books will go a long way in educating the students, as the more they read, the more they get education.

    He said that the books will form the stock in the different libraries of the different beneficiary institutions; and will encourage them to maintain functional libraries.

    Obiano also called on teachers and principals to endeavour to get the students develop the habit of reading as a lot of education which they need in life is locked up in these books.

    Speaking further, he said, “This is indeed a partnership for sustainable development between the private sector, our government and the education institutions”.

    He pledged the state government’s support, and encouraged EEDCnot to relent, because it is towards the development of the people, children and the country at large.

    Both students and teachers of the benefiting schools expressed their appreciation to EEDC and SEOF for this wonderful initiative and promised to make proper use of the books.

    EEDC committed that this is not going to be a one-time event, as this effort is part of the organisation’s ongoing responsibility, and hope to continue partnering Sir Emeka Offor Foundation towards the development of the Southeast.