By Obiageli Nwankwo/Angela Oduche
Azu Nursery and Primary School, Ogbunike, in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, has been officially handed over to the state government by the Azu Ogbunike Community under the Public-Private-Community Partnership (PPCP) initiative of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration.
The handover ceremony, held at the school premises in Azu Community, marks another milestone in the state government’s efforts to expand access to free basic education across Anambra.
With a population of over 400 pupils, the school’s integration into the public school system now entitles it to full government support, including access to free education, teachers, and learning resources provided by the state.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Ifeoma Agbaizu, commended the community for aligning with the government’s vision of making education accessible to every child in the state. She noted that the handover guarantees that all pupils in the school will now enjoy free education under the state’s policy.
Dr. Agbaizu, however, cautioned that following the official handover, individuals who previously donated land to the school no longer retain ownership rights, stressing that the government would not tolerate any claims that could disrupt the school operations.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Dr. Vera Nwadinobi, praised the community’s collaboration with the state government. She assured that the school would benefit from continuous government support, including the provision of qualified teachers educational materials and infrastructure.
Also speaking, the Secretary of ASUBEB, Lady Loveline Mgbemena, commended the community for providing a perimeter fence and demonstrating commitment to education, noting that educating children is key to reducing social vices and promoting peace and security.
In his remarks, the President-General of Ogbunike Progressive Union, Chief Tochukwu Obiakor, expressed hope that the school would soon be upgraded to a smart school. He also appealed to the government to consider qualified indigenous staff already working in the school for permanent employment and other benefits.
The highlight of the event was the formal presentation of the school documents by the community to the state government.
The Director of Schools, Ministry of Education, Dr Oyibo Alor was also present at the occasion alongside other top education officials.
Obiageli and Angela are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
