It is intrinsic to connote the viability of youth development as a tool for the progress of any ambitious
state in the world. Upon this therefore, hinges an undeniable responsibility on government to the
provision of adequate academic education to its people.
From the moment we are conceived we learn, follow patterns and copy behaviors from familiar faces. It
is in our own very nature to learn.
As behavioral sciences would inform us, according to a British philosopher called John Locke, “the brain
of a child is a tabula rasa” which means that we are but a clean slate when first brought into this world
and that what we become is dependent on learning and experience.
Shaping the mind of a lad is every bit as important as saving a life, for an upright mind may grow up to
protect lives and property, create job opportunities, provide for others through responsibility or
philanthropy etc. In other words, become a good leader one day.
For the above reasons the government of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state sought to prioritize
developing the educational sector to a primal level good enough to compete not only the national stage
but on a continental echelon as well.
As part of his 5 mandates to make Abia state better, educational development has been at the forefront
since his election into office. They say a workman is only as good as his tools, that is why Gov. Okezie
instinctively invested in the advancement of his teachers by introducing a teacher training institute to
sharpen their skill set.
The platform exposes them to the best from the rest of the world in nations like Australia, India and
Bangladesh. Such initiatives have led to a massive aggrandizement in the standard of learning amongst
schools in the state.
The need for Infrastructural backing also proved imperative as a lack of conducive learning environment
in public schools had become inverse to the progress of the educational sector especially . This led Gov.
Ikpeazu to oversee the building of no less than 700 new classrooms over the course of his tenure.
Thus, the main reasons why in four of his eight years in power, the state finished first in the West
African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). A monumental achievement seeing as it is the
standardized test for Anglophone countries in West Africa. Students who pass the examination are
formally awarded a certificate confirming their graduation from secondary school.
The state never went below fourth, maintaining dominance during an eight-year span. This particular
attainment disproved the doubters and won over some naysayers to his side in recent times.
This is definitely a challenge for the next government to live up to and one that they should strive to
sustain, owing to the fact that it signified genuine progress and brought about national recognition to
the state of Abia.
The government also ensured a seamless transition into digital learning, broadening the horizon of
students and adapting them into the new age.
Not to mention the building of four new model schools and the reversal of enrollment back into public
schools from 150,000 to 650,000 pupils.
Okezie dug his heels and pushed for excellence like no other, offering free meals to pupils in public
schools and employing over 5300 women to navigate the process.
His tenacity towards ensuring a future for his people through education is a thing of huge admiration,
dispelling any slander on his achievements during his time as governor. A unique foreign scholarship
program was also established to give students an opportunity to study abroad.
The Growth extended beyond the primary and secondary level. It further permeated through to the
tertiary institutions, having a significant nationwide impact.
In his time as governor, Abia state University impressively moved up the standings from the 97th to the
26th ranked best university in the country and is also, the number two best state university in the
country.
To many out there, respect needs to be put on the name of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as his
achievements may not have been blown on a trumpet but was every bit as loud and impactful.