HE IS A GOVERNOR WITH A DIFFERENCE-UNICEF
United Nations International Children Emergency Fund“A” Field Officer Mr Charles Ncuzi has described Governor Peter Obi as a governor different from other governors in Nigeria. He made this description yesterday during the Anambra Children Town Hall meeting entitled 'Beginning the year with Governor Peter Obi' at the Women Development Centre, Awka.
Explaining, Mr Ncuki said that Governor Obi's commitment to work and the welfare of his people was unparalleled. He said it was always humbling to see him interact with the grassroots, visit schools and see things for himself around the State.
Ncuki said he was particularly moved by the Governor's practice of giving his phone numbers to school prefects to call him whenever the need arose. He linked the desire of international partners to work with Anambra State to Obi's passion for excellence and said that UNICEF will continue to strengthen the partnership with Anambra State especially on issues affecting children.
Speaking further, he thanked the Governor particularly for the state's child law and what he called 'a lot of efforts by Anambra State regarding early child education and provision of basic tools to schools in the state both missionary, government and privately owned' that he recognized were al training the children of Anambra State. He concluded by saying that Anambra State is one hundred percent compliant in her efforts to conform to global best practices in the area of education.
Speaking at the occasion, the Governor who described education as the best currency for competing in a globalised world reiterated the readiness of his government to continue to do the right things in all sectors. The Governor noted with excitement the commensurate improvement of Anambra State since his government started massive support to schools including those returned to their missionary owners. He cited example with the improving performance of the state in external exams, the most recent feat according to him being Miss Sandra Anagor coming first in NECO and WAEC exams nationwide.
The Governor said part of the reason for town hall meeting with children was to have one on one interaction with them where they could freely air their views on issues affecting them.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the State Commissioner for Planning, Professor Stella Okunna, thanked God for the gift of Governor Obi describing him as the best thing to happen to Anambra State since its creation. She said the Governor's close attention to issues and timely supervision has brought about massive execution of projects.
Highlight of the occasion were commendations, questions and complaints from various schools to the Governor. While most students thanked Governor Obi for what he is doing including provision of generators, computers, laboratory equipment and renovation of buildings, some appealed to him to address the issue of teacher inadequacy in schools. They complained that youth corpers sent to their schools were not equipped to impart knowledge to them.