Gov Mbah: Why We Will Continue to Prioritise Child Welfare and Education in Enugu State

The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to placing children’s welfare and education at the centre of governance, describing it as the surest path to building a progressive, secure, and dignified future for the state.

Governor Mbah emphasised that the wellbeing, protection, and education of children remain non-negotiable priorities for his government, stressing that any society that neglects its children ultimately jeopardises its own future. According to him, sustained investments in education and child development are deliberate strategies aimed at long-term prosperity rather than short-term political gains.

In the same vein, the governor restated his administration’s firm stance against all forms of child abuse, including child marriage, sexual exploitation, child labour, child trafficking, and other violations of children’s rights. He warned that such acts would not be tolerated under any circumstances in Enugu State.

Governor Mbah made these remarks while receiving members of the Enugu State Children’s Parliament, led by their Speaker, Miss Chimamanda Amobi, during a courtesy visit to the Government House on Tuesday.

He disclosed that his government has consistently allocated more than 30 per cent of the state’s budgets for 2024, 2025, and 2026 to the education sector. According to him, any society that fails to invest adequately in the education and welfare of its children has already compromised its destiny.

Addressing the young parliamentarians, Mbah described them as the embodiment of Enugu State’s dreams and aspirations. He noted that their visit served as a reminder of the responsibility of leadership to create an environment where every child can learn, develop, and succeed without limitations.

“Our slogan is ‘Tomorrow is Here,’ and that tomorrow is you. You represent the future we talk about, the future we can see and nurture. You are at the core of our governance philosophy,” he stated.

He explained that all government initiatives and infrastructure projects are deliberately designed around the needs of children, noting that they are the most valuable investment any government can make.

“In Enugu State, our vision is future-driven, and that future is defined by how well we prepare our children today — how we protect them, educate them, and empower them to take responsibility tomorrow,” Mbah said.

While acknowledging that the full benefits of his administration’s massive investments in education — particularly the construction of 260 Smart Green Schools across the state — may only become evident years after his tenure, the governor stressed that his focus remains on equipping Enugu children for relevance in the emerging global economy rather than seeking applause.

He reiterated that free and quality education is a fundamental right of every child in Enugu State, not a privilege. He explained that beyond the UNESCO-recommended nine years of basic education, his administration has expanded free education to cover 12 years, spanning from early childhood to senior secondary level.

According to the governor, this policy covers all essential learning needs, including school uniforms, writing materials, and one nutritious meal daily, ensuring that no child is excluded due to financial constraints.

Governor Mbah described the Smart Green Schools as innovation-driven learning environments designed to help children discover and maximise their God-given talents while expressing the best versions of themselves.

He further explained that the schools are equipped with modern learning facilities aimed at preparing students for the realities of the 21st century. These include robotics laboratories, artificial intelligence programmes, mechatronics, virtual and augmented reality tools, ICT hubs, and digital libraries, enabling Enugu children to compete favourably with their peers anywhere in the world.

Beyond academic and technological development, the Smart Green Schools initiative also prioritises children’s health and physical growth. The governor disclosed that each school is fitted with a clinic where a child’s health and immunisation status is assessed by a qualified nurse upon admission at the age of three. Any missed vaccinations are promptly addressed to ensure optimal health outcomes.

“To prevent malnutrition, every Smart Green School provides one balanced and nutritious meal daily to each child,” he added.

Governor Mbah also urged children across the state to uphold values traditionally associated with Enugu people, including honesty, fairness, humility, and the fear of God, describing these virtues as essential foundations for responsible leadership and citizenship.

He issued a stern warning that anyone found guilty of subjecting a child to abuse in any form would face the full weight of the law, noting that his administration has zero tolerance for such acts.

“Recently, we intervened to stop the marriage of an underage girl, and the parents involved will be prosecuted. Such actions are completely unacceptable in Enugu State,” he declared.

Earlier in her remarks, the Speaker of the Enugu State Children’s Parliament, Miss Chimamanda Amobi, made a passionate appeal for increased investments in children’s welfare and education by all tiers of government in Nigeria.

She commended Governor Mbah for adopting a child-centred governance approach and for placing Enugu children at the heart of his administration’s policies and achievements.

On behalf of children across the state, she expressed gratitude to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for his notable strides in child health, education, and overall development in Enugu State