A student from Anambra State, Miss Sandra Anazor, who went to school in the state, has achieved the rare distinction of emerging as the overall best in both NECO (National Examinations Council) and WASC (West African School Certificate) examinations.

Her feat is seen as one of the fruits if the many investments of Gov. Peter Obi in the state’s educational sector.

While receiving Sandra at the Government House, Awka, today, Obi announced a scholarship for her and promptly redeemed it by handing over a cheque for N2,220,000 to her, covering the six years she will be in school, having secured admission to read Medicine at the University of Ibadan. Gov. Obi said he was proud of Sandra’s accomplishments and that performances such as hers encouraged him to keep visiting secondary schools in the state to encourage students to take their studies seriously. He disclosed that he would soon extend the visits to primary schools.

Reeling out names of Anambra people who are champions in their various fields of endeavour, Obi said that the state would keep on searching for them wherever they are with a view of presenting them as role models to the younger ones. Giving example with the Heart Centre his administration is building at St. Joseph Hospital Adazi-Nnukwu, named after the foremost Anambra Cardiologist, Dr. Joe Nwiloh, Obi said that other foremost Anambrarians would be similarly recognised.

The governor used the opportunity to call on the people of the state to see education as the most portent instrument for competition. Quoting Aristotle, he said that the difference between the educated and the uneducated is as that between the living and the dead.

During the ceremony, the ancient saying that “success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan” played out as the Principal of the school where Sandra did her JSS1-JSS3 (Queen of the Rosary, College, Onitsha), Rev. Sr. Maria Nwankwo, and the Principal of Federal Government College, Onitsha, where she did her SS1-SS3, Dr. Mrs Chinyere Nzerem, jokingly claimed her as their own. They both expressed happiness at her performance.

In her speech, Sandra expressed surprise at the state government’s gesture, saying that Peter Obi has proved beyond doubt that he loves education and the success of his children.

Sandra’s proud father, Barr. Azubike Anazor, accompanied by her mother, Chinwe, said that the resurrected performance of Anambra people in examinations is attributable to Gov. Obi who has shown interest in all sectors. He recalled when Obi provided boreholes, generators, Internet and lab facilities as well as school buses to schools in Anambra State and said the gesture. Mr. Anazor said the gesture allowed Sandra and her colleagues at Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha, and students in other schools in the state to live in boarding schools in relative comfort.

In her remarks, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Uju Okeke, said all thanks would go to the Governor for his absolute love for the State.

In her academic history, Sandra has won many academic competitions and awards.

Photo captions:

First photo: Gov. Obi presenting a cheque for N2.22 million to Miss Sandra Anazor (right), a citizen of Anambra State who emerged the overall best in NECO and WASC examinations at Government Lodge, Amawbia.

Second photo: Uju Okeke (1st left); Sandra’s mother, Chinwe (2nd left); Sandra’s father (1st left); Gov. Peter Obi (middle right), presenting a cheque for N2.22 million to Miss Sandra Anazor (2nd right).

Third photo: Principal of Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha Rev. Sr. Maria Nwankwo (1st left); Uju Okeke (1st right); Principal of Federal Government College, Onitsha, Dr. Mrs. Chinyere Nzerem (2nd left), with Gov. Peter Obi (2nd left); presenting a cheque for N2.22 million to Sandra (middle).