…Says a golden fish has no hiding place—an honor well deserved.
…Enugu is leading in educational transformation through experiential and disruptive innovations.
Professor Uche Lucy Onyekwelu, a Professor of Accounting at Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani; Founding President of AMSSRN and the Acting Vice Chancellor of Lux Mundi University, Umuahia has taken to her social media handle to congratulate the Governor of Enugu State and, by extension, the entire state on the honorary doctorate (Honoris Causa) conferred upon Dr. (Barr.) Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
Governor Mbah was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters (DHL) degree by Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science, and Technology (BOUESTI), Ekiti State, during its inaugural convocation ceremony held last weekend.
While appreciating the major shift in educational funding in Enugu State, Prof. Onyekwelu noted that the current administration’s innovative fiscal policies have prioritized key areas for educational advancement, including:
- Construction of 260 smart schools
- Training and retraining of teachers
- Curriculum updates
- Establishment of the Teachers’ Service Commission
She emphasized that these initiatives form a strategic blueprint for intentional educational development in Enugu State. In her words, “I am elated that Enugu is setting the pace, and the world is taking note.”
Applauding Dr. (Barr.) Mbah’s efforts, whom she described as “an ICON and an educationally propelled Governor,” Prof. Onyekwelu highlighted the state’s unprecedented investment in education. She noted that allocating 33% of its 2023 and 2024 budgets—₦320 billion out of ₦971 billion for education in 2025—far exceeds UNESCO’s recommended 26% benchmark. This, she said, is a clear testament to the Governor’s belief that education is the bedrock of sustainable development.
She urged the Governor to remain steadfast in his vision for education and critical infrastructure development. Prof. Onyekwelu also noted that the Governor’s Smart School Project has gained national recognition, serving as a model for technological transfer and export from Enugu State to other regions. She emphasized that the Smart School concept would continue to position Enugu at the center of national and global academic excellence.
Prof. Onyekwelu highlighted the Smart School’s well-structured curriculum, which integrates Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Emotional Intelligence, the Internet of Things, Machine Learning, and other cutting-edge technologies. She asserted that this experiential teaching and learning model holds immense potential for both students and instructors, significantly contributing to technological advancement. “What this can do for industrialization in Enugu and Nigeria cannot be overstated,” she reiterated.
According to her, “The Smart School template holds great promise for educational enhancement in the state. I am confident that within two years, students who pass through this system will not only excel in examinations but also acquire hands-on skills for digital entrepreneurship, enabling them to create new business concepts and generate employment.”
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Smart School initiative, she noted, is its integration of agriculture, where students farm their own food to support the project’s free feeding program.
“This is an all-around training model for our children. In fact, I look forward to the establishment of tech hubs for manufacturing mobile gadgets and other ICT equipment, including laptops, which will be produced and repaired by our students.”
In conclusion, Prof. Onyekwelu expressed her profound congratulations to the Governor on this well-deserved honorary doctorate.
“Congratulations, Your Excellency! All glory to God!”
