Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state has said that
scholarship would be given to those who do exceptionally well in
Igbo language into tertiary institutions.
Governor Obi, who spoke during a seminar for
civil servants on the need for promotion of Igbo language and
culture, also said that Igbo was the official language of the state
on Wednesdays, even as he encouraged every Igbo man in the state to
endeavour to speak 100 per cent Igbo on Wednesdays as well as wear
Igbo traditional dressing.
He expressed the preparedness of his government
to partner with any organization desirous in the promotion of the
language in any form.
Obi who noted that the promotion of Igbo language
was part of the Anambra Integrated Developemnt Startegy (ANIDS),
said this yesterday at the seminar by Subakwaigbo group at the
Women’s Develoment Centre, Awka.
He said that Igbo remained compulsory in
secondary schools in the state, and called for the establishment of
department of Igbo language in all the universities in the South
east.
The Chairman of "Subakwaigbo" and the former Vice
Chancellor of UNIZIK, Prof. Pita Ejiofor thanked the governor for
his interest in the progress of not just Igbo land, but Igbo
language. He thanked him for always supporting worthy courses.
Meanwhile, Governor Obi has presented a cheque of
five million Naira to the Maria Regina Model Comprehensive Secondary
School, Nnewi for the renovation of hostel blocks and school hall.
Governor Obi made the presentation during a visit to the school
recently.
Making the presentation, Governor Obi restated
the determination of his government to upgrade infrastructural
facilitates in schools to aid the students in acquiring qualitative
education that will equip them properly for future challenges. He
regretted that gross neglect of the past was slowing the pace of
rebuilding the collapsed structure.
The Governor explained that his administration
was using its goodwill to attract corporate institutions and
organizations to support revamping of all sectors.
The commissioner of education, Dr. Kay Onyechi
said God was using Governor Obi to reposition the education sector
after neglect of many years, noting that the Governor has remained
committed to qualitative education, and rebuilding structures in
line with his policy of running demand- driven government.
The commissioner of health, Professor Amobi Ilika
observed that Governor Obi has introduced a new order of fulfilling
promises made to the people and stressed the need for everybody to
contribute in ensuring that the state did not slide back to its dark
days by renewing the Governor’s mandate.
The director, Education Services, Nnewi Catholic
Diocese, Rev. Fr. Ezeani prayed God to continue to bestow the
governor with the vision and wisdom to pilot the affairs of the
state and to restore its lost glory.
In a welcome address the Principal of the School,
Mrs. Carol Ikeabbah said the school has benefited immensely from
Governor Obi’s administration, noting that his vision for
qualitative education has propelled him to do for schools what no
other governor has done since the creation of the state.
She assured that the school will continue to pray
for the governor to secure a fresh mandate to complete the good work
he has started.
