It is an undisputed fact that the human mind works like a parachute. A parachute saves lives when it is opened. Education is the only key that opens the human mind to a vast world of possibilities.

Interestingly, education is a key in poverty reduction as people with higher education have higher opportunities to gain higher incomes

It is a sad reality that Illiteracy is not just a disease but a tool for creating dysfunctional society populated by men and women who are driven by myths not facts as such serve as cannon fodders for extremists.

Recall that Enugu State had broken the national record in WAEC exams in 2021 and also a new record for the overall best performing student in 2022. This is a feat that has never been achieved for decades.

As farmers attest to quality soil nutrients, improved seedlings, artificial irrigation and weed/pest control as responsible for bumper harvest, so do experts in education attribute quality of investment in teachers training and remuneration, conducive teaching and learning environment and quality instructional aids as requirements for achieving excellent academic records.

The teachers, Principals of government secondary schools and Heads of Departments of Post Primary School Management Board and Board Members, visited the government house on a thank you visit on 6th October, 2022. They were led by a seasoned teacher and experienced administrator of repute with many accolades and academic laurels , Dr. Favour Ugwuanyi mni FCISM,.

Dr. Favour started her career as a teacher and rose to the position of a permanent secretary and retired with honors as a senior citizen before her appointment as Chairman of PPSMB.

The special thank you visit to Government House , Enugu was to eulogize the achievements of the education friendly governor in education sector. Without embellishments, they presented detailed, verifiable facts as scorecard of the Governor and also Dr. Favour Ugwuanyi, the performing Chairman of PPSMB.

In an emotion laden speeches, the chairman of Enugu state chapter of Association of Nigeria Conference of Principals of Schools (ANCOPS), Mr Robert Okolie and the Head of Department of Central Registry,PPSMB , Mrs Joy Agbara made the following statements:

1. Thank you Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for prioritizing investment in public secondary schools through renovation and construction of over 260 schools, provision of modern instructional aids, laboratory equipment for science education, provision of ICT equipment for students, provision of e-library which made students ICT compliant and contributed to success in WAEC, NECO and JAMB.

2. Teacher performance enhancement by Conversion of over 1000 temporary teachers to permanent teachers.

3. Motivation of teachers through prompt and full payment of salaries and payments of years of promotion arrears inherited by your tenure, even as many states owe salaries across Nigeria.

3. Quality leadership training of teachers by

the revered NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF POLICY AND STRATEGIC STUDIES.

4. New partnership with Nigeria Security and Civil defense corps to provide security to teachers and students and valuable, sensitive equipment

The Chief Supervising Principal (CSP), Mr Christopher Ekwunife said the teachers have never had it this good in Enugu state since its creation. The coordinators, Teachers for Good Governance (TGG), Mrs Ify Dunu & Mrs Chinedu Eze, spoke authoritatively with joy saying, TGG has 9000 teachers and over 5,000 non teaching staff who have valid voters cards and have minimum of 1:5 persons influence ratio in the six educational zones. The teachers for good governance (TGG) said to the governor, " *WE WILL REWARD YOU WITH VOTES IN 2023 TO HELP IMPROVE EDUCATION POLICIES IN NIGERIA* *THROUGH THE* *SENATE".* They said we will also reward your party the PDP for restoring the dignity of teachers in Enugu through your many welfare packages. They said before the advent of Gov.Ugwuanyi, teachers were looked down on but now they are highly respected.

Dr. Mrs Favour Ugwuanyi, mni FCISM, the Chairman of PPSMB thanked the Governor immensely for her appointment as chairman and appointments of seasoned technocrats and education experts as board members of PPSMB

She also thanked the Governor for the enormous support given to PPSMB that led to the record breaking performance in 2021 and 2022. She promised the Governor that the target of PPSMB is to emerge as overall best in West Africa in WAEC results of 2023

She joyously paraded the Principals as best teachers in Nigeria and healthy men and women due to job satisfaction from remuneration and prompt salaries. She also thanked the Governor for approvals given for the SKILLFEST initiative which has graduated many teenagers on various skills in fashion and design, confectionery, metal works, furniture making, photography, ICT etc She also said that teacher absenteeism has been eliminated through regular supervision exercises .

Dr. Mrs Favour Ugwuanyi is set to roll out the SPECIAL GIFTED TEENS PROGRAM to help discover and reward the best brains in sciences and other subjects to promote teenage academic competition in Enugu to meet international standards.

The new secondary school parliament and schools debates will be held at the new, magnificent Governor Ugwuanyi conference hall, built by Dr

Mrs Favour Ugwuanyi.

His Lordship, Bishop Chinedu was at the event to say prayers of Thanksgiving for the sacrifices of teachers to Enugu.

Enugu state is in the hands of God.

Bishop Chinedu Nwoye.