Education Remains Top Of My Legislative Priorities – Ekwunife Reiterates

The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Uche Ekwunife, PhD, CON, has reiterated that education is the surest path towards eradication of poverty, underdevelopment and insecurity in the country, saying that the sector remains top of her Legislative priorities in the National Assembly.

The Federal lawmaker noted that the educational sector is the pillar upon which our dear country will sustain economic development and urged for more budgetary allocation for education.

Ekwunife, who spoke on Friday, June 2, 2023, at ASUU Secretariat, Unizik, during the special lecture in honour of the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, expressed that education is the bedrock of the society and no nation can progress beyond its investment in the sector.

The quintessential lawmaker stated that the gigantic road infrastructure projects and skill acquisition centre she attracted for the University community is her contribution to the development of the institute. She noted that the Students’, Staff and Management of the great citadel of learning have benefited from her dividend of democracy.

Ekwunife congratulated Prof Esimone for his outstanding leadership and positive impact in the institute. She charged the Vice Chancellor to consolidate on the successes of his administration and strengthen the areas that need improvement.

While eulogizing the guest lecturer, Prof Chinonso Achebe for delivering a top-notch lecture, the Senator defined leadership as leaders who define institutions and leave a lasting legacy long after leaving office. She stressed that the Vice Chancellor fits into her meaning of leadership, adding that he has done well in the institution.

The Federal lawmaker further urged the university staff who are yet to be enrolled on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and have not been receiving salary to be patient, adding that she is working with the office of the Vice Chancellor to ensure they are payrolled on the system. While noting that she understands their plight, the Senator explained that the biometric data capture will be in batches.

“Leadership is about making impacts while in office and those impacts last long after you have left office because without that you have failed in leadership. Prof Esimone made me have special interest in Unizik and I can proudly say that I have attracted two important road projects and skill acquisition centre in this institution”, she remarked.

In his speech, Prof Esimone stated that his administration has witnessed difficulties and challenges but still has a lot of reasons to appreciate God. He noted that Unizik is still standing tall and assured that the management will continue to build the university as an institution of repute.