When I hear critics saying that Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi did not construct roads or build industries, I get upset because human capital development is not like physical structures but consumes millions of naira
Dr Favour Ugwuanyi, the Executive Chairman, Post Primary School Management Board (PPSMB), says Enugu State Government’s investment in human capital development is laudable.
Ugwuanyi said this when members of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) presented the winner of Whizkid’s Computer Competition, Blessing Agu, to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in Enugu.
Agu, an SS2 student of Girls Secondary School, Ngwo, emerged the winner after beating others in the competition held between June 15 and 30.
Ugwuanyi said the governor had invested so massively in the training of directors and permanent secretaries in all the ministries in the state which was now yielding positive results.
“When I hear critics saying that Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi did not construct roads or build industries, I get upset because human capital development is not like physical structures but consumes millions of naira.
“The training has changed schools and other ministries in the state.
“Enugu came first in this year’s West African Examination Council (WAEC) in South-East and second in Nigeria due to modalities put in place by Gov. Ugwuanyi,’’ she said.
Receiving the student, the PPSMB Chairman said Agu was able to achieve the feat because of God and hardworking.
“Agu must be a prayerful person or have parents that are prayerful because it is only that gives people such success.
“Everybody must support good things, irrespective of the achiever’s background and she must be celebrated for other students to learn,” she said.
Ugwuanyi rewarded Agu and her school teacher with one laptop each, three brand new uniforms and two pairs of sandals.
Presenting Agu to Ugwuanyi, a former Deputy National Chairman, NCS, Dr Modesta Ezema, noted that Enugu State was blessed with intelligent students.
Ezema, who is a Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, University of Nigeria Nsukka, said that the contest was held and marked online, without opportunity of cheating in any form.
Ezema, who is also the Chairperson of Nigeria Women In Information Technology (NIWIIT), Enugu, explained that NIWIIT was formed out of NCS to educate women on Information Technology.
The Coordinator of the Whizkid’s Competition, Mrs Nneka Agu-Ijioma, said in the first round of the competition, Agu came fifth and emerged first in the second round.
“The amazing thing is that Agu is not doing computer as a subject in her school but was picked because she is intelligent,’’ she said.
The coordinator added that Agu also emerged fourth at the zonal level comprising five South-East states.
“I am overjoyed because she is coming from a public school in a rural area.”
She commended the Enugu State Government for its support during the competition, stating that the quiz was an annual competition for students.
Reacting, Agu expressed gratitude to God, saying she never knew she could emerge a winner.
“When I saw other schools which are known for their academic performance, I became frightened but I picked up courage and God saw me through,’’ she said.
She thanked the NCS for organising the competition, adding that she learnt a lot from it.