Enugu one of the safest states in Nigeria – Ugwuanyi

Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Governor of Enugu State has urged the people of the state to continue to offer special prayers for the peace and progress of the state.

Ugwuanyi said that contrary to other opinions that Enugu still remains one of the safest states in the country adding “this is God’s own state.”

The governor said during the inauguration of a privately owned educational institution, in Enugu, Shalom Science and Technology Academy (SSTAC), on Sunday that Science and technology were the key drivers of a nation’s development.

“All the advanced economies of the world are powered and sustained by technological innovations and revolutions in the various sectors of the economy,” the governor added.

Ugwuanyi congratulated the proprietor of the Academy and Director of Shalom Schools Limited, Dr. Willy Onu for his remarkable contributions to the development of the state’s educational sector and the nation.

He also commended Shalom Schools accomplishments in its 22 years of existence, especially in representing the country in the world Biology Olympiads of 2008 and 2009 held respectively in India and Japan.

The governor said “for any nation to attain reasonable success in the pursuit of scientific and technological advancement, it must have a sound and reliable system of science and technology education that would essentially include the establishment of specialized institutions at all levels across the country.”

He pledged to encourage and assist private initiatives and investments in the sector as exemplified by the Academy, to enable the people enjoy easier and wider access to qualitative training in science and technology.

“This will not only help build a robust science and technology culture but also provide a sustainable platform for manpower development and enhancement of the employment potentials of our youths.

“It is for this reason that in Enugu state government embarked on measures and initiatives designed to re-position science and technology education in state owned schools while providing necessary support for skills development and acquisition among the youths,” Ugwuanyi added.

Earlier the proprietor of the school, Dr. Onu said that the schools initiative was in adherence to the governors call at the states economic summit for the strengthening of Science and Technology.

He also said the vision of the school was to produce manpower with deep and practical knowledge of science and technology, adding that sustained economic growth remains a function of science.