₦airaland Forum

ANAMBRA WINS SOUTH-EAST NILDS QUIZ, SECURES NATIONAL TICKET

By Obiageli Nwankwo

St. Patrick’s College, Awka, has emerged champion of the South-East zonal competition of the 2026 National Quiz Competition on the Legislature and Democracy, defeating representatives of four other states to secure a ticket to the national finals in Abuja.

The school, owned by the Catholic Diocese of Awka, triumphed over representatives from Enugu, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi states at the competition held in Enugu, earning the distinction of South-East champion.

The competition, organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) of the National Assembly in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, promotes knowledge of the legislature, democratic governance and Nigeria’s legislative institutions among secondary school students.

St. Patrick’s College earned the opportunity to represent Anambra State at the zonal competition after emerging winner of the state-level contest held on September 29 at the State Secretariat Complex, Awka.

The state competition featured six schools, including Divine Light Standard Academy, Abagana; Beth Roots Model Secondary School, Onitsha; All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha; Holy Child Convent, Amichi; and Bishop Memorial Girls Secondary School, Ukpor.

Reacting to the achievement, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, commended the school for its impressive performance, noting that the victory reflects the intellectual capacity, dedication and competitive spirit of Anambra students.

Ogugua said the achievement reinforces the importance of providing students with opportunities to develop critical thinking, broaden their knowledge of governance and acquire the skills required for responsible leadership.

He congratulated the students, teachers and school management, urging them to remain focused and intensify preparations for the national finals, where they will represent the South-East.

Commissioner Ogugua restated the Ministry's commitment to promoting academic excellence, intellectual development and quality education under the administration of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR.

Anambra Education commissioner WELCOMES FOREST SECURITY SERVICE SUPPORT TO STRENGTHEN SCHOOL SECURITY

The Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, has welcomed the proposed support of the Nigeria Forest Security Service to strengthen security in schools across the state, particularly those located in remote and vulnerable communities, in line with Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s commitment to providing a safe learning environment for every child.

Receiving the State Commander of the Service, Mazi Destiny Jonas, alongside Prof. Stephen Uforah of the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC), Dr. Ogugua reaffirmed the Soludo administration’s commitment to protecting pupils, students, teachers and school facilities across Anambra.

The Commissioner stressed that every child deserves to learn in a safe environment, noting that effective security is essential to uninterrupted teaching and learning and the continued advancement of the state’s education sector.

He expressed the government’s readiness to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including security agencies and community-based organisations, to address security concerns and safeguard schools, particularly in remote and vulnerable communities.

Dr. Ogugua reiterated that the state government would continue to explore strategic partnerships that support Governor Soludo’s vision of building a secure, inclusive and technology-driven education system that prepares Anambra children for a brighter future.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE: HOW ANAMBRA STATE EDUCATION COMMISSIONER IS TRANSFORMING WORK ETHIC IN PUBLIC OFFICE.

BY ACHEBE CHRIS, AWKA.

True leadership is rarely found in words alone; it is forged in daily habits and quiet consistency. In the Anambra State Ministry of Education, a powerful shift is underway. The Honorable Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua is quietly redefining what it means to serve the public through an extraordinary display of commitment, arriving before hours and often remaining at his desk late into the evening.

In an era where public office is sometimes, misconstrued as a status symbol, this Commissioner treats his position as a sacred trust. Long after the corridors of the Secretariat empty out and the lights in surrounding offices turn off, the glow from the Commissioner's window remains a steadfast beacon. This rigorous routine is not driven by fanfare, but by a deep-seated urgency to fix foundational challenges and elevate learning standards across the State.

Staff members note that his early arrival sets the operational tone for the entire Ministry. Files are reviewed with meticulous care, policy frameworks are scrutinized for maximum impact, and no detail is deemed too small if it affects a child's classroom experience. By holding himself to the highest standard of accountability, he challenges every civil servant and educator to rise to the occasion.

"The future of our children cannot wait for convenient hours," the Commissioner often reflects. "If we expect teachers to inspire and students to excel, we must first show them that their education is our highest and most urgent priority."


This culture of diligence is already rippling through the educational sector. Morale among administrative staff has surged, and turnaround times for crucial educational reforms have drastically improved. By embodying integrity, punctuality, and relentless hard work, the Commissioner stands out not just as a political appointee, but as a genuine role model for the next generation of public servants.

Key Highlights of His Stewardship:

Punctuality in Action: Consistently first to arrive and last to leave the ministry.

Meticulous Oversight:Direct, hands-on review of school infrastructure and teacher welfare policies.

Cultural Shift: Inspiring a renewed sense of duty and prompt service delivery among ministry personnel.

Schools across Anambra State on Monday resumed for the 2026/2027 academic session after the six-week vacation, with the State Ministry of Education monitoring the level of compliance and pupils’ return to classrooms.

The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, represented by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Education, Mrs. Obiageli Chiegboka, visited some schools in Awka to assess the resumption and interact with teachers and pupils.

At Udodinma Primary School, Nodu-Okpuno, the team met a calm atmosphere, with pupils and teachers already engaged in academic activities when it arrived at about 8:45 a.m.

Addressing the teachers, Chiegboka urged them to pay greater attention to pupils’ reading skills, describing the ability to read words and sentences as a basic foundation for academic success.

She noted that pupils who struggle with reading at the primary level could face difficulties throughout their academic journey, urging teachers to ensure that children acquire the necessary reading skills at the foundational stage.

“When a pupil is unable to pronounce words or read a full sentence, how can the child read the questions and answer them?” she asked.

Chiegboka encouraged teachers to adopt innovative approaches to make reading more engaging for pupils, suggesting group reading sessions, where stronger readers could lead others, as well as reading competitions to stimulate interest.

She also urged head teachers to look beyond the regular updating of lesson notes when assessing teachers’ effectiveness, saying greater attention should be paid to their impact on pupils’ ability to read and write.

The Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Rose Chidekwe-Udeh, said most pupils had returned, while the school expected full attendance from the following week. She added that all teachers had resumed duties and that the school had recorded 28 new enrolments since the beginning of the session.

She disclosed that the shortage of teachers remained a major challenge, noting that several teachers had recently been posted out of the school without adequate replacements, thereby leaving the school with fewer teachers to cater effectively to the pupils.

The highlight of the visit was an interactive session between Chiegboka and the pupils, during which their reading ability and word-pronunciation skills were assessed.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

2025/2026 ANNUAL SCHOOL CENSUS: COMPLETION BY ALL SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE

The Anambra State Ministry of Education wishes to inform all public, mission and private primary and secondary schools across the State that the 2025/2026 Annual School Census is to be completed through the DNEMIS/DHIS2 platform.

This follows the directive of the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, OON, for the upload of Annual School Census data on the DHIS2 portal. School-level training on the use of the portal has also been conducted for both public and private schools in Anambra State.

Accordingly, all public, mission and private primary and secondary schools, including approved and unapproved private schools, are hereby mandated to complete and submit their 2025/2026 Annual School Census data on the designated DNEMIS/DHIS2 platform on or before 24th September, 2026.

All Heads of Schools and Proprietors/Proprietresses are enjoined to ensure that their respective schools’ census forms are fully completed, all required information is accurately entered, and the data are successfully submitted on the platform within the stipulated deadline. Incomplete, inaccurate or unsubmitted school records will be regarded as non-compliance with the directive.

School authorities are further advised to verify all information entered before final submission and ensure that no school under their supervision is left out of the exercise.

The Ministry emphasizes that the completion and submission of the Annual School Census is mandatory for all schools and must be accorded the highest priority.

Failure to adhere to this directive will attract severe sanctions and/or penalties.

All concerned schools are therefore directed to take immediate action and ensure full and timely compliance with this directive.

Dr. (Mrs.) Ifeoma Agbaizu
Permanent Secretary
For: Honourable Commissioner for Education

PRESS RELEASE

ANAMBRA EDUCATION MINISTRY ENCOURAGES ELIGIBLE STUDENTS TO ACCESS NELFUND STUDENT LOAN

The Anambra State Ministry of Education has encouraged eligible students from the state to take advantage of the student loan opportunity provided by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, gave the advice while drawing the attention of students and parents to the NELFUND Student Loan Portal, where eligible Nigerian students can apply for financial assistance towards their education.

The Commissioner said the initiative provides an opportunity for students facing financial challenges to pursue their academic aspirations without allowing temporary financial difficulties to disrupt their education.

He urged eligible students to visit the official NELFUND portal, carefully review the requirements and complete their applications with accurate information.

Dr. Ogugua also advised applicants to rely only on official information from NELFUND and avoid individuals or platforms demanding payment for assistance with the loan application.

He restated the commitment of the Anambra State Ministry of Education to promoting access to quality education and supporting initiatives that create greater opportunities for students to learn, develop relevant skills and fulfil their potential.

The Commissioner therefore called on students in tertiary institutions who meet the eligibility requirements to make use of the opportunity.

Eligible students can access the official NELFUND Student Loan Portal at:

https://portal.nelf.gov.ng/

Issued by:
Anambra State Ministry of Education