Enugu Govt reaffirms commitment to quality education

By Venica Uchechukwu, Enugu

The Enugu State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to quality education and improving learning outcomes through investments in infrastructure, technology and innovative teaching methods.

Governor Peter Mbah stated this in Enugu while unveiling a book titled Recipes for Academic Excellence: The Student’s Manual for Becoming a Total Graduate, authored by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Enugu State Command, SP Daniel Chimdindu Ndukwe Ekea.

Represented by the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Chief Enyinna Ogbonna, the governor said his administration was adopting innovative approaches to make learning more participatory, practical and accessible to students across the state.

He said education remained a priority of his administration, noting that significant resources had been allocated to the sector to improve teaching and learning conditions.

According to him, the state is constructing 260 Smart Green Schools across its political wards as part of efforts to strengthen educational infrastructure and promote equitable access to quality education.

“Our vision is to provide world-class education within the state and equip our students with the knowledge, skills and exposure required to compete globally,” he said.

Mbah commended the author for combining professional responsibilities with academic research and described the book as a resource that could help students navigate the challenges of academic life. He recommended it to undergraduates and parents seeking guidance on students’ educational development.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the occasion and Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Dr Patrick Ubru, said academic success, like agricultural development, required proper planning, preparation and the right orientation from the beginning.

Ubru observed that students needed clear academic goals and an understanding of the responsibilities required to achieve them, adding that early preparation remained essential to successful educational outcomes.

In his review of the book, Professor Orji Nkwachukwu of the Institute for Development Studies, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, said the 15-chapter, 150-page publication provided practical guidance on strategies and approaches students could adopt to achieve academic excellence.

He described the book as well-researched and relevant to contemporary academic challenges, noting that its presentation in accessible language made it useful to students across different educational levels.

Nkwachukwu added that the publication could also serve as a reference material for lecturers, teachers, consultants and parents involved in guiding students towards responsible academic and personal development.

Explaining the motivation behind the publication, the author, SP Daniel Chimdindu Ndukwe Ekea, said it was developed to address gaps in students’ understanding of the principles, preparation and mindset required for academic success.

He disclosed that the book was the outcome of 15 years of research, review and adjustments to reflect changing academic environments and educational requirements.

The police spokesperson noted that the publication was particularly relevant at a time when students were increasingly exposed to distractions arising from social media, artificial intelligence and economic pressures.

He said the objective was to encourage students to develop sound academic habits, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities that would enable them to contribute meaningfully to society after graduation.

According to him, academic achievement should go beyond obtaining certificates to producing graduates equipped with the knowledge and capacity to address contemporary socio-economic challenges.

The book launch attracted senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force, representatives of the traditional institution, business leaders, members of the Police Community Relations Committee, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, journalists, students and other stakeholders.