Our own Anambra State, the self-proclaimed “Light of the Nation.” A moniker that once shone brightly, especially when it came to academic prowess. For over a decade, we Anambrarians held our heads high, knowing our state consistently ranked among the top 10 in NECO results. It was a testament to our commitment to education, a beacon for others to follow. But recent news has cast a long shadow. For the first time in twelve long years, Anambra is missing from that coveted top 10 list. It stings, e dey pain me!
And what’s even more troubling is the nagging feeling that our supposed leaders, seem to be chasing fleeting moments of glory rather than investing in the bedrock of our future: health and education. We see the grand unveilings, the endless ceremonies around cement structures, buildings that might bear a name but do little to uplift the lives of the ordinary people that needs it. It’s like they’re building monuments to themselves while the foundations of our society are quietly eroding.
Take our Governor, Professor Soludo. A professor! One would think a man of such academic standing would inherently understand the vital role education plays in shaping our human capital. But what do we see? The commissioning of a massive new government house, complete with presidential fanfare. Meanwhile, our education sector, the pride of our state for so long, is seemingly on a downward spiral. It makes you wonder where the priorities truly lie.
But should we really be surprised? Perhaps not, especially when you consider the children of these esteemed leaders don’t getting their education here in the country they lead. They are far removed from the realities of our struggling classrooms, the dedication of our underpaid teachers, and the challenges faced by our students. For them, it seems the goal is to leave behind grand physical structures, something they can point to and say, “Look what I built!” Never mind the minds that could have been nurtured, the potential that could have been unleashed.
At the end of the day, the headline they crave is: “Governor Soludo built the new government house in Anambra State.” But mark my words, history will not be so easily swayed. It will ask, and rightly so: At what cost?
Now, let’s talk about the good old days, shall we? Remember when Peter Obi was our Governor? Say what you will, but during his time (2006-2014), Anambra’s educational star shone incredibly bright. In 2013, we proudly held the top spot in the National Common Entrance Examination. Think about that – our primary school students were the best in the entire country! And it didn’t stop there. The same year, Anambra also emerged as the best-performing state in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Double victory! Even the Nation newspaper at the time credited this WASSCE success to Peter Obi’s “revolution in the education sector”. Some serious attention and investment were being channeled into education back then. While the specifics of this “revolution” aren’t detailed in these snippets, the results speak for themselves. And let’s not forget, even in years where we weren’t number one, Anambra consistently hovered near the top, a testament to sustained effort.
Fast forward to today, and the picture is… well, different. You see, for years, Anambra was a constant in the top 10 NECO rankings. We were used to it. But then came the 2024 results, and it was like a punch to the gut. Anambra, once a beacon, now sits at 14th place, with a pass rate of 69.02%. Just the year before, in 2023, we were still holding onto the 9th position with a 70.79% pass rate. That’s a significant drop, folks.
It’s a stark reminder that past glories don’t guarantee future success, especially if the focus shifts. When you look at states like Abia, Imo, Lagos, and Ogun, who consistently dominate the top spots , you have to wonder what they’re doing differently. In 2024, Abia took the crown with an impressive 83.40% pass rate, while we languished at 14th. Even Kebbi, in 10th place, had a better showing with 72.51%. It makes you think about the impact of focused attention and investment. We even see examples like Osun State, which dramatically improved its ranking thanks to Governor Adeleke’s reforms. And Katsina State also saw improvement due to Governor Radda’s policies. What are we missing here in Anambra?
The elephant in the room, of course, is the question of priorities. As we mentioned earlier, the commissioning of the new government house has raised eyebrows, especially when juxtaposed with the decline in our educational ranking. Could it be that resources are being diverted? Someone mentioned “underpaid teachers,” and one other person even points to “inadequate facilities” in Anambra schools. If the focus has indeed shifted towards infrastructure projects, however grand they may be, at the expense of the education sector, then we might be seeing the consequences in these NECO results. Reduced funding can lead to a cascade of problems: demotivated teachers, dilapidated infrastructure, lack of learning materials – all of which ultimately impact our students’ performance.
And now, let’s get to the juicy part. Our dear Governor Soludo, in his address during the presidential visit, couldn’t resist taking a swipe at his predecessor, Peter Obi. With a tone dripping with… well, let’s call it professorial condescension, he mentioned that the last time a sitting president visited Anambra was in 2012 to commission a “private brewery project”. Oh, the shade! The implication, of course, was that President Tinubu’s visit to commission his projects (including that shiny new government house) was somehow more significant.
But let’s “go and verify” that claim, shall we? It seems our Governor might have a selective memory. While it’s true that President Goodluck Jonathan did commission the SABMiller Brewery (now Intafact Beverages) in 2012, that was hardly the only thing on the agenda. In fact, that visit was quite packed with projects aimed at boosting Anambra’s economy. We’re talking about the inauguration of Orient Petroleum, Anambra’s very own step into the oil-producing states club. That’s not exactly small potatoes, is it? Then there was the commissioning of Orange Drugs Company and Krisoral Company, both significant private sector players. And let’s not forget the reopening of the Onitsha Inland Port, a project with huge economic implications for trade and transportation in the Southeast. Even the Onitsha Bridge Head gate was renamed after the revered Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu during that visit. So, reducing all of that to just a “brewery commissioning” seems a tad disingenuous. It’s like saying the only thing that happened at the wedding was the serving of the cake.
Now, let’s talk about the economic impact. Commissioning a brewery, especially one like Intafact Beverages, which saw an initial investment of over US$100 million and further expansion , has significant benefits. It creates jobs for our people, generates tax revenue for the state, and can spur further economic activity in the region. Intafact itself has become a major employer and taxpayer in Anambra. Even Peter Obi’s administration saw the potential, investing state funds for a stake in the company. While the value of that investment may have fluctuated, the initial vision was clear: to foster economic growth and create opportunities.
On the other hand, commissioning a government house, while symbolically important, doesn’t necessarily have the same direct economic impact on the lives of everyday citizens. It’s a structure that houses government operations, but it doesn’t directly employ thousands or generate substantial tax revenue in the same way a large-scale manufacturing facility does. As one insightful commenter on social media put it, “commissioning a brewery that employs Anambra indigenes is better than commissioning a government house that adds nothing to the lives of Anambra citizens”. Ouch.
The focus on tangible, economically productive ventures during Peter Obi’s time laid a stronger foundation for long-term growth than the current emphasis on symbolic infrastructure. As one analysis pointed out, commissioning industries that employ people and drive economic growth is often more beneficial than social projects with limited impact.
Globally, health and education are the key indicators of growth. Investing in these areas yields long-term benefits: a skilled workforce, economic growth, and improved quality of life. Neglecting them in favor of “vanity projects,” might offer short-term photo opportunities but could lead to long-term stagnation.
So, what’s the way forward for Anambra? We need to get back to basics. We need to reinvest in our education sector, support our teachers, and provide our students with the resources they need to excel. We need to prioritize policies that foster real economic growth and create opportunities for all Anambrarians, not just focus on grand buildings.
Here are a few thoughts on how we can turn the tide:
Increase funding for education: It’s time to put our money where our future is. A significant boost in the education budget is crucial.
Support our teachers: Fair wages, professional development, and a conducive working environment are essential to attract and retain the best educators.
Invest in infrastructure and resources: Our schools need modern facilities, up-to-date learning materials, and access to technology.
Conduct a thorough assessment: We need to understand the root causes of this decline in NECO ranking and develop targeted solutions.
Learn from others: States that consistently perform well in national exams must be doing something right. Let’s study their strategies and adapt them to our context.
Anambra has always been a state of high achievers. We are the “Light of the Nation” for a reason. But a light that isn’t nurtured will eventually dim. It’s time for our leaders to refocus their priorities, to look beyond the immediate gratification of commissioning ceremonies and invest in the long-term future of our state, our children and their education. History will indeed ask: At what cost? Let’s make sure the answer is one we can be proud of.
