... Enjoins Children To Embrace Education
By Uzo Ugwunze
The House of Representatives Member for the Onitsha North & South Constituency, Hon Engr Emeka Idu has Commissioned and handed over 12 completed class room blocks attracted by him to three schools at Onitsha, Anambra State.
It was jubilation for school children, teachers and Old Boys and Girls at Our Lady’s High School, Woliwo Onitsha, Agai Primary School Fegge and Holy Trinity Primary School Basilica where Hon. Engr Emeka Idu handed over One block six classrooms, One block 3 classrooms and another One block 3 classrooms respectively as Constituency projects attracted by him recently.
Commissioning the classroom blocks, Hon Engr Idu said although the projects were part of the fulfillment of his campaign promises emphasized his passion for education which is the bedrock of any society that wants development urging students to be serious with their academics.
“There is nothing to compare with Education. Education is the key, base of any meaningful development you desire. Education prepares and projects you to develop your potentials. There is a great difference between an educated person and a person who is not educated. An educated spouse and a spouse who is not educated.
“Education, Health and Infrastructure were part of my manifesto. The newly built and well furnished classroom blocks are to create a conducive environment where learning can be enjoyed by both teachers and school children.
Let there be maintenance culture towards this classroom blocks to avoid dilapidation,” Idu said.
Moreover, at Our Lady’s High School Woliwo Onitsha, a SSS 2 female student Chukwu Gift Chinazaekpere who is one of Hon Emeka Idu Scholarship beneficiaries gave a vote of thanks shedding tears of joy.
“On Scholarships, although Anambra State Government says it is free education but there are mission public or mission/government schools that pay school fees.
“We offer scholarships to indigent children whose parents cannot afford school fees. I have told teachers within my Constituency to write me officially anytime such cases arise or a situation where an SSS 3 student cannot pay for WAEC. About 150 pupils and over 70 students are on my scholarship scheme and I don’t know many of them including the one who gave vote of thanks at Our Lady’s High School.
” During the last WAEC examination we registered about 102 indigent senior secondary school students for WAEC, NECO and NABTEB within the range of 35,000 to 45,000 naira for each of them to enable them sit for their final exams, if not, the 6 years they spent in secondary school, could be a waste of time” said Idu.
“Concerning health, remember that about 5,500 Constituents benefited from our free medical outreach at FMC Onitsha. About 70 persons had free and successful fibroids surgeries while over 100 persons enjoyed free cataract surgeries, many others received free eye glasses, medical tests and drugs,” he quipped.
Earlier the Catholic Bishop of Onitsha, Archdiocese, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Okeke, Principal, Our Lady’s High School Woliwo Onitsha, Mrs Nneka Ogodi, Mrs. Virginia Mbachu of Agai Primary School Fegge Onitsha in there separate speeches welcomed the Rep Member lauding him for remembering to attract several projects in his Constituency pointing out some other pressing needs in the schools where the House of Representatives Member or any other good spirited individual can come to their aid.
According to the President General,Old Boys and Girls, Agai Primary School 1&2, Mr Victor Onyeka Okoroji (Skidoo),We schooled here when here resembled a swamp because of the flood during rainy season.but the Old boys and girls association has controlled the floods. Old boys and girls association also sunk a water borehole but the overhead metal tank requires to be changed to GEEPEE rubber tanks because it can not longer hold water. Agai Primary School also need a gate man for security and more toilet facilities in the school.
Other Dignitaries which graced the occasion include, Anambra State House of Assembly Member representing Onitsha South II, Hon Barr. Jude Umennajiego and his Onitsha South 1 counterpart Hon Fred Ezenwa, Labour Party Chieftains, State and LG Labor party officers, PG Old Boys and Girls of Our Lady’s High School Woliwo Onitsha, Prof Noble Ogugua ably represented by Occasion Chairman Hon Ibuchim Ezekwelu JP,
