The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, has commended Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, for prioritising education and expanding the state’s Smart Green School initiative.
Garba gave the commendation during the inauguration of Smart Green Schools and Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres across parts of Enugu East Local Government Area, as part of Governor Mbah’s campaign tour of the area on Wednesday.
The projects inaugurated included Smart Green Schools at Mbulu-Ujodo, Enugu East Central Development Centre, Ugbo Odogwu, Ibagwa Nike, Airport and Amankpaka Nike campuses.
Other projects commissioned during the tour were Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres at Ugbo-Owa, Edem Nike, Neke Uno and Ugwogo Nike.
The UBEC chief, who inaugurated some of the schools, described investment in education as one of the most valuable contributions a leader could make to the future of a state.
She particularly praised the Mbah administration for expanding the Smart Green School model, noting that the governor had overseen the completion of 268 such schools across Enugu State.
According to Garba, the schools incorporate technology, security facilities, provisions for children with special needs and energy infrastructure to support quality learning in a conducive environment.
She explained that UBEC initially introduced the Smart Green School model by establishing a demonstration school in each state to encourage state governments to adopt and expand the initiative.
Garba also commended Enugu State for its budgetary commitment to education, describing the state’s allocation to the sector as one of the highest in the country.
She disclosed that her meeting with Governor Mbah on Tuesday had further strengthened her expectation that additional investments would be made in the education sector.
The UBEC executive secretary also praised President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the reforms under the administration had made resources available to states for projects aimed at improving people’s welfare.
Speaking during the tour, Governor Mbah said his administration’s investment in Smart Green Schools was aimed at equipping children with the skills and knowledge required to compete in the modern workplace.
He explained that the initiative was designed not only to improve access to quality education but also to prepare future generations to sustain and advance the state’s development.
Mbah disclosed that his administration had allocated 33 per cent of its budget to education, exceeding the 15 to 20 per cent benchmark he attributed to UNESCO.
The governor acknowledged that challenges remained in other sectors, including roads and infrastructure, but maintained that investing in human capital was essential to addressing those challenges in the future.
He also told residents of Emene that the government had identified unpaved roads in the area for rehabilitation and that work had commenced on water reticulation to extend supply to households.
As the 2027 general election approaches, Mbah urged residents to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates at the polls, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to delivering development projects across the state.
Several political leaders and stakeholders attended the event, including the Chairman of Enugu East Local Government Area, Hon. Beloved Dan Anike; the member representing Enugu East Rural Constituency, Hon. Raymond Ugwu; APC candidate for Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga; and former House of Representatives member, Hon. Cornelius Nnaji.
Also present were Senator Kelvin Chukwu, Nollywood actress Rachael Okonkwo, the Director-General of the Enugu APC Campaign Council, Chief Charlie Mbah, Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Dr Felix Nnamani, and Chief Joseph Ugwumba, among other political stakeholders.
Written by Enitan Mudashiru
