Anambra State government has rewarded six students of Regina Pacis Secondary School, Onitsha, who brought honours to the state and country from the United States.

They won gold medal during the just-concluded World Technovation challenge held at the Silicon Valley, San Francisco, US.

The rewards were presented to them at a grand reception organised by Government in honour of the girls at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia.

The team won in the junior category with an app called FD-detector,   capable of detecting fake drugs, which they developed.

Obiano during the reception presented a cheque for N1 million each to the six students while N2 million each was presented to the principal of the school and their mentor. The government gave out a total of N10 million.

The team comprises, Vincent Ezeaka, a reverend father and the principal of Regina Pacis Model Secondary School, Onitsha, Uchenna Onwuamaegbu-Ugwu (Team Leader, Coach, Mentor and Founder of edufuntechnik.com).

The students are Adaeze Onuigbo, Vivian Okoye, Promise Nnalue, Nwabuaku Ossai, Jessica Osita and Miracle Igboke.

Obiano also offered scholarships to the students, up to their first degrees.

It was a double celebration as the Anambra also marked 27th Anniversary of its creation in 1991.

In a speech at the event, Obiano said his administration would not leave any stones unturned at ensuring the provision of opportunities at providing proper learning environment in the state.

He noted that his administration had embarked on massive perimeter fencing of all public schools, commencing from girls’ schools to ensure adequate security.

The governor noted that speed boats and eight ambulances had been procured in riverrine areas, with enhanced salary package for teachers posted to those areas, to encourage them.

“We must encourage these teachers in the hard-to-reach areas by providing them with necessary facilities they need.

“We have built 80 room blocks in seven communities as accommodation for these teachers, rent-free.

“We are working hard to encourage girl-child education in Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West and Ogbaru.

“To achieve this, we are building migrant schools in those areas, giving incentives to encourage their girls to go to school,’’ the governor said.

While warning teachers against expelling students for non purchase of text books, the governor noted he had since banned collection of levies and other illegal extortions in schools.

Obiano also emphasised that his administration had renovated and attracted accredited 11 technical schools in the state.

He added that tuition in the schools would remain free to encourage youths to enrol in skills acquisitions.

He, however, assured that his government would continue to record excellence in education, noting that 60 schools had been equipped with modern standard laboratory for advancement in science studies.

Victor Umeh, the senator representing Anambra Central senatorial Zone, presented N50, 000 to each of the students for their excellent performance.

Umeh enjoined them to always participate in internal and external examinations, saying they had been equipped to emerge victorious.

Kate Omenugha, commissioner, Basic Education, noted that Anambra State government had been making huge investments in human capital development.

According to her this will make Anambra students to become more emboldened and better poised to compete with their contemporaries in any part of the country or world.

Virgy Etiaba, a former governor of Anambra State, called for injection of requisite requirements needed to improve boy-child education as well.

Vincent Ezeaka, a reverend father and the principal, Regina Pacis School, and Onwuamaegbu-Ugwu, the mentor, commended Governor Obiano for his unprecedented support and motivation, which they said motivated them to go all out during the competition.

Owen Nwokolo, a reverend, the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, and the Auxiliary Bishop of Awka Catholic Diocese, Most Reverend Jonas-Benson Okoye lauded the governor’s huge investment in education.

In the vote of thanks, Nnalue, one of the students, thanked the governor for his immense support throughout the process and all who worked with them to achieve victory.

She pledged that they would use the platform availed them by Government to always make the state proud.

Present to witness the ceremony were members of the National and State Assemblies, State government functionaries, traditional rulers, parents and teachers of the students.

– Aug. 28, 2018 @ 17:39 GMT |