… Says 33% education budget proves children are at the center of government priorities
Firstsitenews-Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the future of the state’s children, describing the 260 Smart Green Schools under construction as their guaranteed path to a brighter tomorrow.
Speaking during the 2025 Children’s Day celebration held at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu on Tuesday, Governor Mbah represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia highlighted the government’s massive investment in education, including a 33% allocation of the state’s annual budget to the sector.
This year’s Children’s Day theme was “Children: Our Future, Our Responsibility.”
According to the governor, the Smart Green Schools are far more than just physical structures they represent the future of education in Enugu State. “These schools are being built in every political ward, and they’re designed as hubs of innovation and learning,” he said.
“Each Smart School will be powered by solar energy and equipped with digital smartboards, robotics and artificial intelligence labs, virtual reality tools, ICT centers, multimedia libraries, science laboratories, and smart farms,” Mbah explained.
“But more than the infrastructure, we are introducing a new way of learning Experiential Learning where students learn by doing, creating, and solving real-world problems. That future is not distant. It’s already happening here in Enugu,” he said.
The governor further emphasized the inclusive nature of his education agenda, pointing out that the state is providing students with free uniforms, books, nutritious meals, clean water, healthcare services, and learning tablets.
He also noted ongoing reforms in Technical Colleges, Senior Secondary Schools, and Universities, aimed at aligning Enugu’s education system with global standards.
“To bring this vision to life, we dedicated 33% of our entire budget in 2024 and 2025 to education the highest in the country,” he added.
Governor Mbah encouraged the children and youth to “be bold, curious, kind, and strive for excellence,” reminding them that they have the right to dream and the power to succeed.
In a goodwill message, the First Lady of Enugu State, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, described education as the most valuable gift that can be given to children. She praised the Ministry of Education and teachers for their dedication and assured that the government would continue to provide a safe, inclusive, and enabling environment for learning.
The celebration featured colorful march pasts and prize presentations to outstanding participants.
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