Background

It was celebration with the streets of Mgbakwu-Abogu in Awka-North Local Government Area of Anambra State decked with colours as the people rolled out the red carpet and drums herald and welcome Governor Charles Soludo to their community.

The occasion was the visit of the governor to the Anambra State Polytechnic, MgbakwuAbogu. The people came out in their numbers to give the governor a rousing welcome as a show of their appreciation to him for fulfilling his campaign promise of developing Awka-North.

It was a roll call of who is who in the community, as the elderly, aged, youths, and children including leaders of the various religious denominations and traditional rulers as well as cultural institutions, and the leadership of the local government, all attired in colourful attires attended the ceremony.

Leading the throng of people were Nwokeoma Chukwu, the President General of MgbakwuAbogu, alongside Chief Lawrence Onwuzuka of Ukpaka Awka-North, who is a revered political strategist and leader of APGA in Awka-North; Chimezie Johnmark Ikwunne (Ugogbe Awka-North), member representing Awka-North in the Anambra State House of Assembly; Igwe Ezekwesili Maduagwuna Okwesilieze (Ofemmili 1 N’ AwbaOfemmili), traditional ruler of Awba-Ofemmili. Governor Soludo’s visit underscored his administration’s dedication to transforming Anambra State Polytechnic, MgbakwuAbogu, into a bastion of science and technology.

His commitment to implementing the committee’s recommendations reflects a strategic approach to overcoming the institution’s challenges and ensuring its future as a leading centre of excellence.

The presence of prominent community leaders and government officials highlighted the collective effort required to achieve this ambitious vision. Their support and collaboration are crucial in realising the governor’s plans for the polytechnic and, by extension, for the entire Awka-North Local Government Area.

Commitment to education

Soludo’s visit to Anambra Polytechnic, Mgbakwu-Abogu, is a testament to his dedication to AwkaNorth’s development. During his campaign, he assured the people of Awka-North, Anambra West, and Ogbaru LGAs that they would receive the much-needed attention and development if he was elected into office.

In his address to the gathered crowd, Soludo disclosed his vision for Anambra Polytechnic, Mgbakwu-Abogu, stating that he is committed to making it a centre of excellence in educational pursuit and technology.

This is as he stressed the importance of collaboration between the state government, private sector and the host community in achieving this goal. The governor urged the people of Mgbakwu-Abogu and Awka-North to ensure the safety and security of the institution and its facilities.

The governor’s speech resonated with the community, as he detailed the state’s plans to implement the recommendations of a committee established to address the challenges faced by the polytechnic. These recommendations aim to transform the institution into a premier centre for technological advancement, fulfilling its original purpose.

Soludo stressed that the quest to lift the institution to a high grade polytechnic is not the sole responsibility of the government, but the concerted efforts through Public Private Community Partnership (PPCP). Noting, “The task ahead is enormous, it needs the efforts of educational stakeholders, the Mgbakwu community, and all lovers of academic excellence to upscale Anambra State Polytechnic (ANSPOLY).

A committee has been constituted to evaluate all state-owned institutions, their challenges, areas of assistance, and government intervention.” Soludo charged Mgbakwu community leaders to work with the institution in safeguarding government’s proper- ties domiciled in the institution while expressing displeasure at incessant raids of government properties by nefarious individuals.

Executive charge

The governor also tasked the institution to carve a niche that would differentiate it from others. A niche that will distinguish its certificates from others and give its graduates an edge over others.

Addressing the staff of the school, Soludo emphasised that a school is defined by the quality of teachers and the quality of teaching, noting that without qualified teachers who are constantly upscaling and upgrading knowledge and skills, there is no education. According to him, students should always define their ‘whys’ for being in school.

He charged them to strive for knowledge and skills rather than brandishing certificates without corresponding knowledge or skills. The governor said most of the higher institutions in the country are turning into glorified secondary schools, saying, “I look at the institution with mixed feelings of hope and opportunities but also of despair.

“We know where the dream was, but whether we are heading to the position, I don’t know. “This is not peculiar to ANSPOLY, Mgbakwu, Most of our institutions are turning into glorified secondary schools. “We need to start asking the piv- otal question of what our various individual institutions are known for.

What comes to mind when our institutions are mentioned? “Sadly, many of our institutions have gone down. We need to go back to the fundamental ideas of our forefathers.” Soludo said the council should ensure that effort is put into rebuilding the institution to cater to a universal purpose. “In our own polytechnic here in Mgbakwu, I have a team reviewing their status.

They will soon submit their report on whether the institution is fit for purpose,” he said. “It is a general problem of our education, particularly tertiary education. I call them the “villagusation” of our institutions, but I see Nigeria in terms of the composition of the board.

“There is huge work to be done to be able to rescue our education sector. “I’ve seen university when it was universal, not minding where one came from but the value being added.

“Here in Anambra, we recruited 8,115 teachers from 18 states of the country because the interest of the Anambra child is to be taught by the best teacher. We are already practicing what we preach.’’

Poor state of Ogbaru LGAs

The governor while lauding the institution’s great natural ambiance, hinted that poor state of Anambra North, Anambra West, and Ogbaru LGAs was among the reasons that he decided to run for gubernatorial election as he wanted a new lease of life and a sense of belonging for them through the provision of good road network.

Commendations for Soludo Chimezie Johnmark Ikwunne, speaking on behalf of the people of Awka-North, expressed profound gratitude to Soludo for his steadfast commitment to their development.

He lauded the governor for keeping his campaign promises and highlighted the significance of having a government institution in AwkaNorth that could rival the best tech- nology institutes in Nigeria. In her address, the Rector of ANSPOLY, Dr Njideka Chiekezie called on the state government assistance in ensuring the school meets the requirements for full accreditation.

She said that the institution has been running with an interim accreditation since it was upgraded to a polyphonic and this has drastically affected it enrollment status and student population.

Community hopeful

The community’s enthusiasm and gratitude towards Soludo were palpable throughout the event. His assurances of continued development and support for Awka-North have instilled hope and confidence in the residents, who see him as a leader capable of steering the state towards a brighter future.

As the event concluded, there was a renewed sense of optimism and determination among the attendees. The visit had not only strengthened the bond between the state government and the community but also reaffirmed the governor’s commitment to fulfilling his promises.

The significance of Soludo’s visit extends beyond the immediate benefits to Anambra Polytechnic, Mgbakwu-Abogu. It symbolises a broader commitment to educational and technological advancement in Awka-North and Anambra State.

The governor’s vision for the polytechnic as a centre of excellence is a critical component of his broader strategy to foster innovation, skill development, and economic growth in the region.

The support and collaboration of community leaders, government officials, and residents are vital in achieving this vision and ensuring that the polytechnic becomes a premier institution of science and technology. Governor Soludo’s leader- ship and commitment to prog- ress continue to inspire hope and confidence in the future of Awka-North and Anambra State.