The Enugu State Government has reiterated its commitment to reposition all technical and special colleges in the state to lead in scientific innovation in the country.
The state’s Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uchenna Eze, gave the assurance on Sunday during the finale of Annual Inter-House Sports Competition of Government Technical College (GTC), Enugu.
Eze, who was represented by an official of the ministry, Mr Williams Chukwu, said that the present administration had renovated classrooms and technical workshops within technical and special colleges in the state.
According to him, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the most educationally friendly governor, has awarded the contract for total reconstruction of General Woodwork and Radio/Television classrooms and workshops building of GTC, Enugu.
He said: “As a state, we aim at repositioning our technical and special colleges to the best, not only in Nigeria but in Africa as a whole.
“The state government has aggressively renovated dilapidated structures and has put modern learning and instructional materials and ICT facilities to reposition the colleges to be compliant to modern learning.”
Speaking, the Chairman, Parent-Teachers Association of the college, Chief Ferdinand Ude, urged all good spirited individuals, old boys and philanthropists to help college in any capacity they deem fit to reposition it to be the best.
“Government cannot do it all alone. Parents, stakeholders and philanthropists needed to assist to get modern and state-of-the-art equipment and gadgets to bring the school to stage of digitalised learning,” Ude said.
Contributing, Executive Director of Daniel Ukwu Leadership Foundation, Comrade Daniel Ukwu, challenged the students to be eager to learn as well as set their minds for greater attainment that would prepare them for greater tomorrow.
“A lot of people that are doing very well in the society today started with being sound students whether in academic or sports. Try and put your best in all you do today,” Ukwu advised.
Earlier, the Principal of GTC Enugu, Mr Kenneth Ogili, said that the college had continued to contribute its quota in various competitions, adding: “the college is facing challenge of high electricity tariff and cost of fuel”.
“Just recently, our student, Master Chukwuebuka Udoye, won Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s award on Technology and Innovative (both cash and scholarship was awarded) up to university level.
“We won the best exhibitor in the exhibition organised by National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) in May 2021 among others.
“Let me not bore you much with our achievements and problems as you need to relax with us and entertain yourselves as you watch our children compete in various sporting activities,” Ogili said.
The event featured certificates and trophies presented to the various houses for outstanding performance in the competition.