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Enugu Govt expresses optimism on ‘leave no child behind policy’ as game-changer in education
The Enugu State Government has expressed optimism on its ‘leave no child behind policy’ as a game-changer in education to prepare every Enugu’s child for 21st century academic and technological advancement.
The state government has completed and started running some of the 260 smart schools within the 260 political wards; while those yet to be completed would be ready within a few months to come.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed this on Sunday in Enugu at the 2025 Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Goals Week Celebration and Book Launch on “SDGs Integration Manual for Basic Education”.
Onyia noted that the ‘leave no child behind policy’ in the Smart Schools for the nine-year basic education would provide quality, equal and accessible 21st century education to children in urban and rural areas alike.
He said, “With the policy and concepts, learning will become experiential for the children in all the smart schools as we have integrated technology in it; and modern curriculum and content.
“Learning will go with new result-oriented initiatives, be hands-on and fun for the children, which will open their innate desire to learn and internalise; and not just to memorise and pass exams alone.
“The smart schools, scattered in all wards in the state, will ensure that each child gets the same tech-innovative educational gadgets and quality teachers fully trained on modern and tech-innovative gadgets.
“His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, is intentional and already moved ahead in using education to prepare our children notwithstanding remoteness of their schools to compete with their counterparts internationally.”
Onyia noted that for some months, teachers in the state had been trained and retooled on the smart school curriculum, concept and new educational gadgets to be used in classrooms going forward.
“His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, plans to take it higher through a teachers’ training institute (the proposed new state’s University of Education and Technology) and all teachers migrate to tech-innovative teaching methods.
“Each child will be given equal opportunity, equal access and equal quality tech-innovative teachers; while the basic module for assessment and test tool for all children within the state will be the same,” he added.
Onyia appreciated the authors of the book, which foreword was written by Gov. Peter Mbah, adding: “This book provides an excellent manual for teachers to inculcate knowledge and benefits of the SDGs on our children”.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport, Mrs Ify Ugonabo, said that the government had captured the bio-metrics of all commercial vehicles (including tricycles) in Enugu, adding that over 30,000 vehicles had been registered.
Ugonabo noted that the bio-metric capturing had further strengthened the security architecture of the state as it had made it easier to track any commercial vehicle engaged in unscrupulous activity.
“Enugu has the best transport system with new five modern terminals, over 80 road shelters and 100 CNG buses for seamless and affordable transportation as part of meeting the SDG Goals,” she said.
Earlier, the Focal Person for SDGs in the state, Engr. Onyinye Akubuilo-Okpalanma, who co-authored the book with Prof. Dorothy Akubuilo (her mother), said that Enugu State had done well in advancing the goals of the SDGs.
Akubuilo-Okpalanma said, “Enugu State has advanced in education, which is goal four; healthcare, goal three; in agriculture, in adequate security, in tech-innovation as well as providing employment and decent work for the youths.
“His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, has robustly improved all sectors of the state through well-planned and intentional policies and programmes that involve all sectors, council areas and political wards at the same time.”
Also joined as contemnor is the Medical Director, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Dr Unaogu Ngozika.
The duo are said to have disobeyed an order of court which ordered the immediate reinstatement of Prof Monday Igwe as the Medical Director.
A judgement of the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division, had nullified the appointment of Dr. Unaogu as the Medical Director of the Hospital and ordered the reinstatement of Prof. Monday Igwe as the Medical Director following the declaration that the earlier termination of his appointment is null and void.
Recall that Justice E. D. Subilim of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, had on 11th December 2025, delivered a judgment in which he ordered the reinstatement of Prof. Monday Igwe to office as the Medical Director after he declared the earlier termination of his appointment as null and void and also nullified the later appointment of Dr. Unaogu Ngozi.
The court found that the termination of Prof. Monday Igwe’s appointment did not follow laid down disciplinary procedure.
It also held that the appointment of Dr. Unaogu Ngozi during the pendency of the suit in which she was a party rendered it a nullity.
However, several months after the judgement was served on the Defendants, they have refused to comply with the judgment orders.
Lawyer to the plaintiff, Mr. Michael O. Okorie, Esq, had told the court that Ngozi Unaogu “has continued to perform the functions of office, including awarding contracts, bank transactions, staff appointments and other official functions despite her appointment having been declared a nullity with the legal effect that contractors and bankers dealing with her are doing such at their own peril, especially as the said judgment has not been stayed by any order for stay of execution.”
Okorie has consequently filed and served Form 48-Notice of consequence of disobedience of court orders-against the Minister of state, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Unaogu, the Medical Director.
According to the lawyer, “the Minister of State is the supervising minister who issues/conveys/signs appointment letters to the Medical Director of the Hospital on behalf of the President.
“It is time for the Minister of State to reassess his legal team at the Ministry so that they do not end up misleading him into running foul of the law which he has sworn to protect as public servant.”
Meanwhile, court documents obtained by our correspondent show that the contempt proceeding was initiated pursuant to Order IX, Rule 13(1-3) of the Judgment (Enforcement) Rules, Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act, 2004, Order 63 of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (Civil Procedure).
“TAKE NOTICE that unless you obey the directions contained the order of the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division delivered on the 11th December, 2025 which declared null and void the termination of appointment of the Applicant, Prof. Monday Igwe, nullified the appointment of DR. UNAOGU NGOZICHUKWU NNEKA as the MEDICAL DIRECTOR, FEDERAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, ENUGU, ENUGU STATE, and ordered the re-instatement of Prof. Monday Igwe as the Medical Director of the FEDERAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, ENUGU, ENUGU STATE, and also, ordered the payment of the arrears of salary to Prof. Monday Igwe, you will be guilty of contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison. A copy of the said order of court earlier served on you is hereby annexed for your on-the-spot reference.
“This Court has been informed that as at today, Tuesday, 14th April, 2026 that DR. UNAOGU NGOZICHUKWU NNEKA has continued to perform functions of the office of the MEDICAL DIRECTOR, FEDERAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, ENUGU, ENUGU STATE while Prof. Monday Igwe has not been reinstated to office in utter disregards to the subsisting orders of this Honourable Court which execution has not been stayed,” the court notice already served on the alleged contemnors read.
Dr Unaogu and her lawyers could not be reached by The Advocate at the weekend to ascertain why she has not vacated the office of the Medical Director as ordered by the Industrial court in Abuja.
which ordered her to vacate the Medical Director of the hospital has not been
By LUCY OSUIZIGBO-OKECHUKWU
Brig.-Gen. Uche Nnabuihe has raised concern over low enlistment from the South-East, revealing Anambra recorded only 117 applications out of 38,000 nationwide.
Nnabuihe led an Army delegation to sensitise youths in Awka, noting the figure was recorded on April 7, before a nationwide awareness campaign began.
He said the exercise aimed to encourage more youths from Anambra and the South-East to join the 91 Regular Recruits Intake before the May 27 deadline.
“We observed with concern that out of 38,000 applications received nationwide, only 117 came from Anambra as of April 7.
“This sensitisation is to correct that imbalance and encourage our youths to take advantage of opportunities in the Nigerian Army,” he said.
Nnabuihe urged eligible youths to apply, noting the Army offers a structured career path and opportunities for national service.
Lt.-Col. Ogbemudia Osawe said training infrastructure had expanded, with new institutions in Abakaliki and Osogbo to accommodate incoming recruits.
Osawe listed benefits, including career progression, regular pay, continuous military education, specialised training, and exposure to diverse cultures.
He added personnel enjoy welfare packages, free medical care for families, pensions, gratuities, and opportunities for international assignments.
Permanent Secretary, Anambra Ministry of Youths, Ifeatu Emodi, commended the initiative, describing military enlistment as crucial for South-East youths.
Emodi said declining interest among youths stemmed from misconceptions and misinformation about the Army.
Traditional ruler, Igwe Michael Okeke-Uche of Enugwu-Agidi, praised the Army’s welfare structure and urged youths to enlist for better regional representation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the sensitisation held at the Ministry of Youths in Awka, attracting a cross-section of young people. (NAN)
By IHECHINYERE CHIGEMERI-UWOM
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the death of a U.S.-based Nigerian physician, Dr Uzoma Nwaubani, who was in the state for a medical mission.
Otti, in a condolence message signed by him and issued on Friday in Umuahia, said that he received the news of her passing with shock, describing her as a dedicated and compassionate medical practitioner.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State Government in collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) organised a five-day free medical outreach that held from April 13 to April 17.
The governor noted that the late Nwaubani was a member of the association and had returned to Nigeria with her husband and daughter, a final-year medical student in the United States, to provide free medical services to residents of Abia.
He said that while participating in the ongoing medical outreach, she developed a medical emergency and was immediately taken to a hospital.
According to him, a team of ANPA and local medical experts worked together to provide urgent critical care in a bid to save her life.
“Despite the gallant efforts of the highly skilled medical team to resuscitate her, she could not make it,” Otti said.
The governor extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, her loved ones, and members of ANPA, adding that the state government was already in communication with her family and the leadership of the association.
He promised that the government would provide the necessary support to the bereaved family and ANPA during the period of mourning.
Otti also commended the family of the late doctor and ANPA for allowing the medical mission to continue in spite of the loss.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising the health and well-being of residents and visitors to the state.
The governor prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for strength for her family to bear the loss. (NAN)
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