A former Minister of Aviation and Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Chief Osita Chidoka, left participants at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) stunned during the University’s 2nd Distinguished Personality Lecture, at the Peter Nduibisi Mbah Multi-purpose Auditorium, when he revealed that his academic journey almost ended in a disgraceful expulsion.

Chief Chidioka while calling for political re engineering as the panecea for Nigeria’s leadership challenges, also unveiled “Mekaria” his new leadership philosophy for African leaders

Whilst delivering his lecture on rebuilding Nigeria political structure, he took went down memory lane at the University of Nigeria, Nsuka, while he was a fervent student leader and ally of the active member of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, as they partook in a nationwide protest against the illegal proceedings following the annulment of the june 12 general elections, under the Babaginda regime.

“Back then, the students unionism was about the welfare of the students. We were thorns in the flesh of the government”, said Chief Chidoka. While the risk of expulsion was real, the Lecturer argued that the turbulent experience prepared him for his career, where he became a Personal Assistant to a minister at age 27 and Nigeria’s youngest ever serving Corps Marshal by 35.

Unveiling a new leadership philosophy for the continent, Chief Chidioka introduced “Mekaria”- an igbo concept meaning, “ to do better”. He challenged the “Culture of Alibi”, which is the habit of using past, systemic corruption practices as an excuse for failure. Instead he proposed a data driven “Operating System” for the country, which shifts focus from “inputs” to “outcomes”. Using real-time data to identify and solve problems instantly. and a relentless drive for excellence that rejects the status quo.

He expressed concern on Nigeria’s growing political indifference by the new generation of young Nigerians who have consistently shown non active participation in national political issues particularly in holding their leaders accountable.

“Nigeria’s population would hit 400 million by 2050, and there are high concerns for Southeast, concerning land scarcity and erosion.

“If you do not participate, your future is bleak”, he warned, pointing out the current Governor of Enugu state who won by a slim margin of 399 votes to explain the importance of voting during election.

“Participation is not just voting; it is the daily unglamorous act of insisting that institutions are accountable to you. If you believe that your vote does count, why then do the political actors pay to buy your vote? he queried.

“Your future will not be determined by just waiting for somebody to take your course, It will be shapped by your capability to say, ‘This is my destination, and I want to get there”. he concluded.

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The lecture provided an opportunity to address our educational model which is a critical issue at the heart of our nation’s development. I emphasised that Nigeria’s current education system, focused on rote memorisation, has hindered our progress, failing to equip students with the skills and competencies required for industrialisation and economic transformation. I called for a paradigm shift towards experiential learning, education that connects directly to real-world challenges and opportunities.

Nigerian universities seldom feature among the ranking of the world’s best universities and are yet to produce inventive graduates who can drive national development. This shortfall stems from an outdated system that does not prioritise productive skills or innovation. Experiential learning fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, empowering students to see themselves as problem-solvers and innovators.

As part of our commitment in Enugu State, we are leading this transition by allocating 33% of our annual budget to education, twice UNESCO’s recommended benchmark. This investment has facilitated the creation of 260 Smart Green Schools across our wards.

Through our Smart Green Schools, we have introduced the ‘cut-off point’, whereby we target children from age three, and begin to inculcate in them social habits, health habits, fine motor skills, and problem-solving competencies, introducing them to an experiential education system that helps them to navigate our rapidly evolving technological knowledge-driven world.

After three years of Early Childhood Education, having completed Nursery 1-3, our children complete Basic 1-9. During their twelve-year academic study in the Enugu Smart Green Schools, our children learn with interactive digital whiteboards, tablets, and computers; they are immersed in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual/Augmented Reality, and Internet of Things, among others.

Upon graduating from the Smart Green Schools, about one-quarter of our children will proceed to the eight Science, Technical, and Vocational (STV) schools already under construction, which will focus on key competencies like Industrial and Information Technology, Building and Fabrication Engineering, as well as Industrial Agriculture, with the objective to become respected and skilled professionals, highly valued for their expertise.

I also announced a new policy directing all state-owned tertiary institutions to adopt experiential learning models in their planning, curriculum, and research efforts. Education, after all, is not just about passing exams, it’s about preparing our youth for a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world.

The transformation of our education system is not just a necessity; it is the foundation upon which we will build a prosperous and self-reliant nation. By prioritising experiential learning and investing in modern, skill-oriented education, we are equipping our youths to lead the charge towards a future defined by innovation, industrialisation, and sustainable development.

Tomorrow is here!

Barr Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah

Governor Enugu State

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By Iroh Faith

The Enugu State Governor, Barr Dr Peter Ndubisi Mbah will today commission the new 1000-capacity Multipurpose Auditorium in ESUT.

The Governor will commission the new edifice by 10am local time.

The commissioning of the new Auditorium which is part of activities marking ESUT’s 20^th Convocation Ceremony slated to hold on Saturday, marks a defining moment in the history of the institution.

Shortly after commissioning the Auditorium, His Excellency will proceed to deliver the maiden Distinguished Personality Lecture with the theme “Education, the Truth Wealth of Nations”

 The Auditorium has also been named after the governor.

Upon arrival at the university this morning, the Executive Governor will proceed to inspect exhibitions by various faculties and departments of the university. The Exhibition which will hold at the University’s Pavilion starting from 9am, will showcase ESUT’s innovative ingenuity and scientific breakthroughs.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie explained why the management decide to name the Auditorium after the Governor.

“We have decided to name the auditorium after his Excellency, Barrister Dr Peter Mbah in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the advancement of education and development in Enugu state,” the VC said during a press briefing on Thursday  

The new facility, a major addition to the university’s infrastructure landscape, is aimed at enhancing academic and socio-cultural activities in the university.

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By Nnaji Martha

The Vice-Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie has expressed gratitude the state Governor, Barr Dr Peter Ndubisi Mbah for his support to the school.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed the appreciation during the press conference for the upcoming 2024 Convocation Ceremony in Agbani.

The VC acknowledged that the Governor has been actively involved in ensuring that Programmes in the university passed the National Universities Commission, NUC’s accreditation and resource verification exercises.

“I am pleased to inform us that 97% of all programmes in ESUT have full NUC accreditation.

“Between November 2024 and December 2024, 8 programmes shall undergo NUC re-accreditation. We are optimistic that we shall excel in these programmes.

“Also on an encouraging note, I am delighted to report that the University proposed to run Radiography, Human Nutrition & Dietetics, Public Health and Biomedical Engineering. The NUC has concluded its Resource Verification exercise last week and we look forward to commencing the new programmes within the 2024/2025 academic session.

“Permit me, Ladies and gentlemen to seize this medium to appreciate and thank His Excellency, Barr Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for providing all critical equipment worth over N200,000,000 for NUC accreditation and resource verification of the afore-stated programmes. Indeed, ESUT ranks among top Universities in Nigeria with modern and digital equipment to compete with other Universities abroad,” he said.

The 20^th Convocation Ceremony of ESUT will hold on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at the ESUT Pavilion, Ebe Ano City, Agbani.

His Excellency, Government Peter Mbah will on Tuesday deliver the maiden Distinguished Personality Lecture at the newly built Barr Dr Peter Mbah 1000-multipurpose Auditorium

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Enugu – His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Barr Dr Peter Ndubisi Mbah will on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 deliver ESUT’s inaugural Distinguished Personality Lecture.

The Lecture will hold at the newly built Barr Peter Ndubisi Mbah Multi-purpose Auditorium at ESUT’s main campus, Agbani starting from 11am.

The Distinguished Personality Lecture, the maiden edition, was designed by the ESUT Consultancy Services with the aim of bringing specialists from diverse sectors to share their experience and help reposition humanity

Speaking on the essence of the Distinguished Personality Lecture, and the choice of His Excellency to take-off the first edition, the Director, ESUT Consultancy Services, Prof Okey Oji, told ESUT Monitor that the lecture is unique because it brings people from diverse human endeavors to chart a new path towards respositioning the society.

“The idea behind the Distinguished Personality Lecture, just as the name indicates, is to bring someone who’s successful in his/her career to come and share the knowledge with not just the university community but also the lager society because the lecture is open for everybody. The person will come and share with us his thoughts on that lecture and it will agitate the minds of people to the topic. This one that will be done by His Excellency is equally for us to share in his vision and mission in Enugu State and also his business.

“We chose him because he is the Visitor to the University. Secondly, he is a very successful business man. So he is eminently positioned to deliver the maiden edition of the Distinguished Personality Lecture. Mind you, the lecture is a bi-annual programme and we are hoping to have the next edition by March next year”, he said.

The Distinguished Personality Lecture is part of events lined up by the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, to mark her 20th Convocation Ceremony scheduled to hold on Saturday, November 23rd, 2024 at the ESUT Pavilion Ebe Anọ City, Agbani.

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