Ekwusigo Council’s Skills Development Drive Yields Results As Pupils Showcase Talent,

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ONITSHA  – What began as a colourful Children’s Day celebration in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State evolved into a remarkable showcase of the council’s growing commitment to practical education, vocational training and talent development among pupils and students in public schools. 

The Council Secretariat in Ozubulu came alive on Tuesday as hundreds of pupils, students, parents, teachers, community leaders and dignitaries gathered to celebrate what many described as a growing skills revolution in the area’s public school system. 

Beyond the traditional match-pasts, cultural displays and entertainment, the event highlighted a new educational direction focused on nurturing a generation of skilled, innovative and self-reliant young people. 

Addressing the gathering, the Mayor of Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Hon. Chimezie Obi, said the council’s investment in children extends beyond conventional classroom learning to include practical skills that can prepare them for future opportunities and economic independence. 

He disclosed that skills acquisition programmes had already been introduced in the six public secondary schools within the local government area, adding that plans were underway to deepen vocational education across the public school system, including at the primary school level. 

“Children are the strength, creativity and hope of today. The future of our society depends on the quality of investment we make in them. We are not only celebrating children today; we are celebrating the dreams, talents, intelligence and greatness embedded in every child in Ekwusigo,” Obi said. 

According to him, the initiative is designed to expose young people to productive skills from an early age, enabling them to discover their talents while acquiring practical knowledge that complements academic learning. 

The impact of the programme was evident throughout the celebration as pupils and students participated in talent exhibitions and vocational demonstrations, including live cloth-making and shoe-making competitions. 

Their performances drew admiration from guests, education stakeholders and community members, many of whom described the initiative as a model for promoting entrepreneurship, creativity and self-development among young learners. 

At the end of the competition, Master Anamasonye Victor of Zixton Secondary School, Ozubulu, emerged winner in the shoe-making category, while Master Jeremiah Stephen of Community Secondary School, Ozubulu, clinched first position in cloth-making. 

In recognition of their outstanding performances, both students received sewing machines and cash prizes of ₦50,000 each. Their instructors were also rewarded with ₦200,000 each for their dedication to mentoring and nurturing vocational talents among the students. 

Earlier, the officiating priest, Rev. Fr. Everistus Mmuoghalu, announced the results of the various competitions held during the event, which featured 74 schools in the match-past parade. 

In the primary school category, Unity Model Nursery and Primary School, Oraifite, emerged overall winner, while Santa Maria Secondary School, Ozubulu, secured first position among secondary schools. 

Parents, teachers and community leaders who attended the celebration commended the Ekwusigo Local Government for integrating skills acquisition into public education, noting that such initiatives would help pupils and students build confidence, unleash creativity and develop entrepreneurial capabilities from an early age. 

Many described the programme as a strategic investment in the future, capable of producing a generation of job creators rather than job seekers. 

As the event drew to a close, Hon. Obi urged the children to remain focused on their education and personal development, assuring them that the council would continue to create opportunities that would enable them to succeed. 

“Keep learning, keep growing and keep making Ekwusigo proud,” the mayor advised. 

For many observers, the celebration was far more than a festive gathering. It served as a powerful demonstration of Ekwusigo’s determination to build a future in which public primary and secondary school pupils are equipped not only with academic knowledge but also with the practical skills needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive and innovation-driven 

students.