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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The council chairman, Beloved-Dan Anike, has announced his administration’s decision to sponsor the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC), the National Examination Council (NECO), and the National Board for Technical Education (NABTEB) fees for all Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) students in public schools within the council area.
The announcement, made during a meeting with public school principals at the council headquarters in Nkwo Nike, will benefit over 2,400 students in the upcoming academic session starting January 2025.
Beloved-Dan also revealed plans to cover Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam fees and fund extra lessons for the students to ensure adequate preparation for their examinations.
He said that this initiative aligns with the human capital development agenda of his administration and the vision of the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, which prioritizes education as a tool for raising globally competitive youths.
“Education is pivotal to eradicating poverty and equipping individuals with the requisite skills for better decision-making and economic empowerment. Beyond certification, we aim to prepare our youth to acquire the skills to transform their lives and contribute to the state’s economic growth,” he said.
The council chairman also highlighted his administration’s Better Tomorrow Scholarship Scheme, which recently identified 50 exceptional students to be enrolled in highly-rated schools for enhanced exposure and learning.
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He clarified that the intervention covers all SS3 students in public schools residing within the council area, irrespective of their origin adding that the programme aims to alleviate the financial burden on rural, urban, and semi-urban families while addressing social inequality.
Commending Governor Peter Mbah’s strides in education, Beloved-Dan noted the ongoing establishment of smart green schools in the state’s 260 wards as a transformative measure to restore confidence in public schools and reduce reliance on private institutions.
“By September 2025, with the full implementation of smart green schools, public schools will outperform private institutions. This initiative will bridge the gap in access to quality education and ease the financial strain on families,” he explained.
The chairman revealed that the project is anchored in the council’s Human Capital Development Bye-Law, which allocates N25 million monthly (N300 million annually) for education-related initiatives. Approximately N50–N60 million is earmarked for this exercise annually, with provisions to sustain it as an annual tradition.
Speaking on behalf of the school principals, Dr. Agada Gregory, of Community Secondary School, Ugwogo Nike, said that, “The programme will bridge the gap between the rich and the poor and significantly reduce school dropouts in the area.”
