Governor Willie Obiano yesterday once more lived up to the promise of continuity which he made to Ndi Anambra last year during his gubernatorial campaign days. Following the precedent set by his predecessor, Mr. Peter Obi, Governor Obiano doled out a total of N1.9 billion to Mission schools in the state for the 2014 Universal Basic Education (UBE) projects.

The ceremony which took place at the Women Development Center, Awka, attracted the leaders of the two dominant churches in the state – Catholic and Anglican – who mobilised members of their congregations en-masse to grace the occasion.

Out of the total sum, N433 million was given to the Catholic Mission and N300 to the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion while N1.082 billion is in the custody of Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board for funding public primary and junior secondary education.

Chief Obiano said the fund allocated to each mission was based on the number of schools that government had returned to them. He confirmed that funds released to the Church by his predecessor were judiciously utilised, which encouraged his administration to sustain the policy.

The governor further explained that the fund would be used for the provision of infrastructure and furniture in the benefitting schools and restated his government’s commitment to delivering functional education. He said there were already considerations on how to accommodate Pentecostal schools.

Governor Obiano also disclosed that the State Government had started paying 20 per cent of basic salary to teachers in the rural areas and N3,000 to teachers that handle core subjects. He announced that physically challenged persons and junior students of technical schools are now on state government scholarship. The State Government, he said, has upgraded infrastructure at the School for Physically Challenged Persons at Isulo; provided internet facility in schools; is building perimeter fencing in boarding schools and training marshals to assist in maintaining security in schools.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, said the fund beneficiaries had secured approved work plan and that the utilisation would be subject to monitoring and evaluation processes.

Most Reverend Christian Efobi, Archbishop, Province on the Niger, described the emergence of Governor Obiano as God’s answer to the prayer for sustenance of good governance in the state, noting that the implementation of his pillars of development would make Anambra a model state.

Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Reverend Valerian Okeke, represented by Monsignor Basil Onwuasomba, said Obiano’s performance was indicative of his resolve to make a difference in the lives of the people.

•Photo shows, L-R: Bishop Alex Ibezim, Bishop of Awka Diocese of the Anglican Communion; Archbishop Christian Efobi, Archbishop of the Province of the Niger, Anglican Communion; Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State; Msgnr Basil Onwuasomba and Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, during the presentation of N1.9bn to Mission schools in Anambra State . . . yesterday in Awka.

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