There was widespread celebration on Thursday in Enugu East local government area following the council boss, Hon. Pastor Beloved-Dan Anike’s announcement that his administration would cover the examination fees for the senior school certificate examinations, including the West African School Certificate Examination (WAEC), the National Examination Council (NECO), and the National Board for Technical Education (NABTEB) for all SS3 students in public schools within the area. The mayor made this announcement at the council headquarters in Nkwo Nike during a special meeting with principals from all public secondary schools, emphasising that his administration is also planning to cover the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam fees when the time comes. Additionally, he mentioned that arrangements are being made to fund extra lessons for SS3 students to ensure they are well-prepared for their upcoming exams. The school heads had arrived to submit the names of their SS3 students, as previously directed. According to the principals, over 2,400 students set to sit for the certificate examinations in the next academic session, commencing in January 2025, will benefit from this initiative.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, the council chairman, Hon. Beloved-Dan Anike, explained that this initiative forms part of his administration’s human capital development plan and commitment to equitable access to quality education, in line with the vision of Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, aimed at cultivating a generation capable of competing on a global scale.
He stated, “We recognise that education is crucial for lifting people out of poverty and alleviating hunger. With an education, individuals will acquire the skills necessary to make informed decisions that improve their lives. While I acknowledge that certification alone is not sufficient for empowerment, it is a stepping stone to gaining the right skills and transforming those skills into opportunities. Our vision is to prepare our future leaders to be globally competitive, which is why we are prioritising human capital development.
“You may recall that we recently completed our ‘Better Tomorrow Scholarship Scheme,’ through which we have identified 50 exceptionally intelligent students for placement in highly regarded schools, providing them with the exposure and environment necessary to thrive globally. This aligns with the governor’s vision for Enugu State, prioritising education and establishing smart schools in every ward. As the most populous local council area in the state, we are committed to enhancing the human capital index of our youth, enabling them to contribute to the state’s economy as we aim for a $30 billion trajectory.
In response to inquiries about the beneficiaries of this initiative, the mayor clarified that the programme targets all residents of the local government area, encompassing both indigenous and non-indigenous SS3 students in public schools. He stressed that the intention is to alleviate the financial burden faced by the rural, urban, and semi-urban poor, with a strong focus on social impact.
Beloved-Dan also praised the governor of the state, Dr Peter Mbah, for making their jobs as local government chairmen significantly easier through substantial investments in education across the state’s 260 wards. He noted that the smart green schools being constructed in every community by the governor will not only reduce the inequality of access to quality education but also enhance confidence in public schools, likely diminishing the appeal of private institutions. “The smart green schools being established by our governor, Dr Peter Mbah, aim to provide opportunities for the underprivileged while offering a viable alternative to what we consider private or luxury schools. By September 2025, those operating private or luxury schools in Enugu State will need to reassess their offerings, as the smart schools will likely achieve higher ratings than current private establishments. This initiative is designed to benefit not only the poor but also the middle class. Many families are heavily burdened by the high costs of private schooling, with fees ranging from ₦50,000 to ₦200,000 and luxury schools charging over ₦500,000. A substantial portion of the population, including civil servants, rely on private schools, but once the smart schools launch fully by September next year, we anticipate a return to public education, reminiscent of the days when one needed a high aggregate score just to secure a spot in public schools. That is why we are committed to supporting public schools and encouraging widespread participation.”
The council chairman, flanked by the local government secretary and implementation committee chair, Barr Uchenna Mbeke, also stressed that this initiative has been enshrined in law, with plans for it to be sustained annually. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. We have already allocated funds for this initiative and passed the Human Capital Development Bye-Law, which commits ₦25 million monthly—amounting to ₦300 million annually—for human capital development. We expect to invest around ₦50-60 million on this, making it an annual event, and we hope that future chairpersons will continue this effort,” he stated.
In response, several school principals expressed their gratitude to Hon. Beloved-Dan for providing support to the less privileged. “My name is Dr Agada Gregory, the principal of Community Secondary School, Ugwogo Nike. If you look at our faces, you can see how happy we are about this project introduced by our esteemed mayor. It will greatly help bridge the gap between the wealthy and the poor, eliminating the need for those with financial means to attend private schools. I believe that in the next two years, no one will consider sending their children to private institutions. This initiative will address the dropout rates caused by financial constraints. We urge other local government chairmen to follow this example.” Mrs. Agbo from Annunciation Secondary School, Nkwo Nike, also shared her appreciation, remarking, “We are thankful for the opportunity to engage with our esteemed Beloved-Dan. He is an excellent leader. We truly value what is unfolding today because poverty is a crippling disease. Many of our children do not attend school not because they lack desire, but because of financial limitations. With this new opportunity, the sky is the limit, and I pray that God empowers our capable chairman to achieve even more. I believe everyone will benefit, and even farmers in the villages may now consider enrolling their children in school. Our dear mayor, we love you; everyone loves you. Keep moving forward, and may God bless you, sir.”
