The
need for the private sector to be more involved in the development of education
in the country have been emphasized.
The
wife of Edo state governor, Betty Obaseki says the population of Nigeria alone
makes education nearly impossible for any government to tackle it effectively.
Obaseki
was speaking while commissioning a newly built 21 seater 40 classroom blocks at
Central Primary School, Obioma community in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu state.
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| Betty Obaseki |
She
says for education to thrive, private individuals must support the education
drive by either owning schools or helping government to renovate or build good
schools for their respective communities.
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| Bishop Ernest Obodo |
While dedicating the school building, Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Ernest Obodo said it was proper for Nigeria to have a good education system that works, noting that it is the right of a child to have quality education.
Initiator
of the one hundred million Naira school project and the Group Managing Director
of Afrinvest, West Africa, Ike Chioke noted that with the continuous decline in
the quality of education in Nigeria, he decided to help improve learning and
sponsor skill acquisition programs in his hometown.
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| Ike Chioke |
Part of his plan is the remodeling the Central Primary School in Obioma Kingdom which was built in 1941 to provide a decent and conducive learning environment for the people as well as aid the development of education in Nigeria.
The
building is designed to have eight blocks of classrooms for about 300 pupils, a
library with a sitting capacity for 56 pupils, a clinic, an Information
Communications Technology Centre, a conference hall, a staffroom for teachers,
head teacher’s office as well as male and female restrooms.
Rebuilt in a 'U' shape structure, the school is also designed to take up to 35 to 40 pupils in a class, having the comfort of ceiling fans, light fittings and electrical teaching boards.
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| Classroom |
According to the Afrinvest CEO, there is also the plan to provide solar power to run the day-to-day activities of the school and ensure constant electricity supply.
While
expressing her joy and excitement, the Head Mistress, Central Primary School,
Obioma, Udi LGA, Regina Aneke thanked the Prince of Obioma Kingdom for unusual
gesture which she says is worthy of emulation.
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| Central Primary School Head Mistress, Regina Aneke |
Aneke says with what have been made available for them at the school, they can now compete with their contemporaries, including those in private schools.
The event which was part of the sidelines of the Obioma Christmas Carnival had other side attractions such as cultural displays, music performances by acts like Zoro, comedy, and special appearances by Nollywood acts such as Annie Idibia.