APPRECIATION OF GOODWILL MESSAGES AND APPEAL FOR SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING*
*I wish to thank and appreciate those who celebrated the joyful moment of my elevation to the rank of Chairman ENSUBEB by the Executive Governor of Enugu state, His Excellency Barr. Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah. The calls, goodwill messages, and prayers remain reminders that the Governor expects much from me and my team in ENSUBEB.*
*The Governor understands that education is the cradle of the efforts to realize his vision and commitment to building a great asset in human resources that will fit into the new world of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and other emerging developments in the global space.*
*The Governor has demonstrated his beliefs and convictions on the essence of systematic transformation of the education curriculum and pedagogy in his manifesto, policies, decisions, and actions. On our part, we must translate these intentions into tangible output and convince our partners and vendors to align their contents with our action plans.*
ENSUBEB has streamlined strategies to justify the 33% budgetary allocation to the Education Sector, the Smart School initiative, and the up-to-date (1st to 4th quarters 2024) payment of UBEC matching grants (the first of its kind in the history of Enugu State and perhaps in Nigeria).
These outstanding efforts have resulted in committing substantial labor force and overwhelming material resources to ensure that the projects and the programs produced the best results for the common good under our directions and care.*
We are now poised to begin the process of expanding the spheres of collaboration to achieve adequate mobilization of resources for teachers’ professional development, thereby promoting effective system management, ensuring that we recruit quality personnel, and expediting action on the expansion of our facilities to fill any gaps in the system.
The opportunity given to me by our Governor to play crucial leadership roles and breathe life into the Basic Education Sector is a rare privilege that calls for commitment to transforming the system. It requires bold initiatives that underpin the transition from the old practices to the high-tech smart education system, which aligns with the Smart School initiative.
This approach calls for a drastic change in mindset and how we perceive government projects and programs. The not-business-as-usual paradigm shift encapsulates the direction the government has chosen and preferred to follow in mitigating the risk of distraction and focusing on the new governance model. We must abhor self-serving politics in education that derails government objectives in the system. It is a time to join hands to walk the talk.
Education is a collective responsibility; we expect everyone to key in, support the good initiatives, and adapt to the new system. The time to think about what to contribute towards promoting teaching and learning processes at the basic education level starts to count today; there is little or no time to speculate on what projects to win in ENSUBEB.
The ENSUBEB we have set out to manage tailors to be a service provider to strengthen the pedagogical structure of the basic education curriculum, broaden teaching and learning opportunities, build the capacity of teachers to meet the set goals and enrich their competencies in quality service delivery.
Henceforth, the operations of ENSUBEB shall observe due process. The system will not allow petty politics, self-interest, friendship, and relationships to influence, distract, and abuse the core values of creating a bright prospect for our children. Our mandate and concern is to lay a solid foundation for their growth and continuous future development.
We shall remain committed to this vision of achieving early childhood quality education, building a new bridge to anchor effective learning and civic culture in the emerging decent environment, bearing in mind that the measure of our success is how we ensure the development of the potentials of these children and expose them to the competitive global village.
His Excellency the Governor has made this ambitious target a focal point of reference, emphasis, and collective responsibility that no one can trivialize. The government is building a world-class infrastructure and installing modern equipment to support the Smart School initiative. They form our working template, and we treasure it with unreserved passion.
We encourage us to play by the rules of engagement and aspire to be an example of change agents devoid of compromising common values that give meaning to the mandate of leaving an enduring legacy in the education system. We prioritize public interest as a duty we owe to our people to justify their support. Bridge-building ensures the achievement of our mandate by adopting an inclusive decision-making process, team spirit, and teamwork.
Though pressures of requests and demands are inevitable, justice and fairness will be their moderator. We cannot allow sentiment to blur our sense of judgment. We must be upright and not condone unapproved practices and behaviors.
From either inside or outside ENSUBEB, spanning the areas where we exercise authority, the work environments and human tendencies have become familiar; the processes and activities expose the loopholes that allow malpractice to fester. None will henceforth see the light of the day.
Our decisions shall be proactive to nip impending bad situations in the bud and not allow them to become emergencies. Our actions shall be decisive to convey that we are not prone to deceitful manipulation. Anyone who is our staff and partner will begin to adjust to the values of the new leadership and develop a sense of patriotism that lends credence to good governance.
We cannot afford to treat government projects and programs with levity, lack of decorum, poor commitment, and insincerity. These attitudes bring shame to public institutions. It makes them unproductive and corrupt business centers where public funds filter away without results. We have limited resources and nothing to waste. Every kobo and naira we spend must be proportionate with the values and qualities of the projects, programs, and services delivered.
“The arrow of God shall point at any sabotage to this sacred duty”.
Once again, I thank each of us for joining me to appreciate His Excellency Barr. Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for finding me worthy of heading this critical agency (ENSUBEB) at this point. It is the handiwork of God, and I return all the glory to Him.
I will welcome and value your good advice, appreciate every selfless support, and be encouraged by your inspiring motivation and protective prayers to overcome every evil trapping and prioritize promoting the education industry for the benefit of humanity and the good people of Enugu state.
As we walk through the path of this mission together, may God bless us all – Amen!
Assoc. Prof. Hyginus Banko Okibe, Ph.D.
Executive Chairman
ENSUBEB