By CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE

The chairman of Dunukofia LGA in Anambra state, Barr. Chijioke C. Ozumba, has stated that education is central to national development, saying that it has no alternative.

He made the statement at the Dunukofia LGA headquarters, which is at Ukpo, when the Dunukofia school children observed the 2027 children’s day celebration, there.

He advised the school pupils and students to deal with matters apropos to their acquisition of education with utter seriousness as it is their possession of knowledge that would lead them to achieve successes in their respective endeavours.

“There is no alternative to education. But you should acquire skills, too, while you’re engaging in educational pursuits.

“I charge you to take your education, seriously because it is the key to your success.

“Again, avoid perpetrating acts of criminalities, such as committing examination malpractice,” Ozumba said.

More so, the Dunukofia mayor advised parents to give their children good parental upbringing, saying that the future of Dunukofia LGA lies in the hands of children.

“Parents should protect their children from negative influences and abuse.

“They should, also, invest their time and money in training their children because the children will reflect what is instilled in them.

“Again, I’d like you to know that the future of Dunukofia LGA lies in the hands of our children.

“So it is incumbent on parents to give their children good parental upbringing.

“And remember that Dunukofia will be crime-free if we raise our children in godly ways,” Ozumba said.

During the event, schools in Dunukofia LGA took part in cultural dance displays and marching.

Regarding the marching, in the secondary school category, Community Secondary School, Ukpo took the first position, while Community Secondary School, Ukwulu, and Community Secondary School, Umunnachi came second and third, respectively.

More so, as the to cultural dance displays, in the Secondary School category, Edwin Spring College, Ukpo was declared the winner. While Community Secondary School, Ukpo, came second, Community Secondary School, Nawgwu took the third position.

The faces of the students of Community Secondary School, Ukpo were etched in smiles and they let out ululations of joy as they danced and capered to celebrate their good outing.

In her vote of thanks, the Supervisor of Education in the area, Dr. Mrs. Uche, thanked the Mayor of Dunukofia, Barr. Chijioke C Ozumba, for his’love of education and children, which made him place much premium on the celebration of the 2027 children’s day.

She, also, advised the children not to relent on their pursuit of education as education is the leveler of inequalities that exist between children of the poor and children of the rich.

•Chiedu is of the Anambra State Ministry of Information.