By Adadareporters
Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo has presented cheques worth N1.524 billion to mission schools in the state.
The donation was presented to owners/operators of Anambra Mission Schools during a meeting held at the Government Lodge, Amawbia. The governor said it is part of the state government’s support to improve quality of education and infrastructure in the state.
Chris Aburime, Soludo’s chief press secretary, stated in a release made available to our correspondent in Awka.
Our correspondent gathered that each of the listed schools, numbering 762, received N2,000,000 while eight schools that returned to Salvation Army Schools received a total sum of N16,000,000.
The two hundred and seventy-five (275) schools that returned to Anambra Anglican Mission Public Schools received a total sum of N550,000,000, while the four hundred and fifty-nine (459) schools that returned to Anambra Catholic Mission Public Schools received a total sum of N918,000,000, it was further gathered.
Twenty (20) schools initially owned by Anambra Pentecostal Schools received a total sum of N40,000,000, Aburime said.
Gov Soludo, during the meeting, said his administration put education among its priority, and applauded owners of mission schools for their active participation in the health sector, of which most hospitals belong. He decried the state of public sector components in the area of education and health.
Governor Soludo noted that both health and education sectors ‘are fundamentally slacking backwards’, and recalled that when he assumed office, no general hospitals had doctors.
Soludo pledged that all general hospitals would be equipped with solar power to enable the residents of the state to have access to a qualitative healthcare system. According to him, “In the area of education, this is why we are here and what we are trying to achieve on education is also the same we want to achieve in the public health sector.”
He regretted that the society is creating an impression that there are two sets of citizens: ‘children of the poor abandoned in public schools and the children of the rich/average who can afford missions or private schools’.
He said his regime has a vision to develop human capital in the state that ‘will be productive at home and exportable abroad’, as well as ‘to refurbish and recreate schools that will be smart, digital inclined’.
Quoting him, “We shall be encouraging ndi Anambra to adopt schools in their communities but even if you can’t, you can at least buy a pencil for a child. You will be amazed at what difference you can make. Club of Patrons will be formed in these public schools. We want communities to take ownership of these schools.”
The chairman of Pentescotal Fellowship of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter, Bishop Moses Ezedebego, on behalf of all Anambra Mission Schools, said that the governor had demonstrated leadership, showing that all religious denominations could work together as a family.
According to him, Governor Soludo had wiped the tears of ‘uncountable millions of poor ndi Anambra and his deeds today will remain indelible in the annals of the State history’.
