I’ve Come to Revive Secondary Education Board, Says Ebonyi Chairman, Mrs. Nwankwo

The newly appointed Chairman of the Ebonyi State Secondary Education Board (SEB), Mrs. Lilian Nwankwo, has declared her commitment to reviving the board and restoring its mandate as the engine room for advancing secondary education in the state.

Mrs. Nwankwo made the pledge when she hosted friends of the board in Abakaliki on Wednesday . She noted that her appointment by Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru was a call to duty and service, stressing that she would work diligently to reposition the board for optimal performance.

According to her, education remains the foundation for sustainable development, and any society that neglects the education of its young people risks stagnation. She explained that the SEB under her leadership would focus on effective supervision of schools, teachers’ welfare, infrastructural upgrade, and the promotion of moral and academic excellence among students.

“I have come with a vision to revive and reposition the Secondary Education Board in line with the People’s Charter of Needs mantra of His Excellency, the Governor. "We are here to serve, and our priority will be to strengthen policies and programmes that will bring back the lost glory of secondary education in Ebonyi State and that's by ensuring that our best will be properly utilized for the growth of the sector.

"If you are reposted to another school, do not see it as witch hunting, but a way to extend your good work to other schools that need your sincere service,” she said. The chairman urged staff of the board to key into her vision and work as a team to achieve set goals. She assured them that their welfare and professional growth would be taken seriously, noting that only a motivated workforce could deliver on the expectations of government and the people.

While commending the Governor for the confidence reposed in her, Mrs. Nwankwo called on education stakeholders, communities, and parents to support government’s drive to improve the quality of secondary education across the state. She emphasized that restoring discipline, raising academic standards, and providing a conducive learning environment would remain her top priorities.

The state chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Ekechi Okorie Francis and ANCOPP counterpart, Mr Chukwu Emmanuel who responded with excitement, pledged their support for the new leadership and expressed optimism that her tenure would bring the needed reforms. With the renewed attention to the Secondary Education Board, stakeholders believe that Ebonyi is set to witness a turnaround in the management and development of secondary schools, which will positively impact students and teachers alike.