The council chairman of Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, Barr. Ugo-Ferdinand Ukwueze, has praised the commitment of the wife of the Governor of Enugu State, Mrs. Nkechinyere Iheoma Mbah, in the provision of quality education, especially to the downtrodden.
Barr. Ukwueze made this known on Thursday during the flag-off of the 2026 Igboeze South Local Government Education Support Initiative.
He stated that Mrs. Mbah has displayed purposeful collaboration and commitment in addressing real social challenges through education, which she does through her Custocare Foundation that has positively impacted over 8,000 people in his council.
He posited that the act of sponsoring free WAEC and JAMB registration, as well as payment of school fees and award of bursaries by the First Lady, mitigates the constraints faced by indigent students, as it expands access to quality education, strengthens human capital development, and empowers young people in the pursuit of their academic aspirations.
“Education remains the most reliable bridge between poverty and opportunity, and Mrs. Nkechinyere Iheoma Mbah has shown uncommon compassion in building that bridge for our children. Through deliberate investments in examinations, school fees, and bursaries, she has lifted thousands of families from despair and restored hope to many young people. Her interventions are not symbolic gestures but practical solutions that remove barriers, inspire confidence, and reaffirm our shared belief that no child should be denied education because of circumstances beyond their control.”
On the 2026 Igboeze South Local Government Education Support Initiative, Barr. Ukwueze described it as a landmark intervention that shows the collective resolve of his administration to place education at the very heart of sustainable development, as it has always been in Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s education roadmap for the state.
He praised the contributions and support from the Chief Executive Officer of JRB Solar Investment Ltd., Alhaji Rauf Badamasi, in the initiative, noting that their payment of WAEC registration fees for all eligible students in the council has been both visible and quietly impactful over time.
He also commended the support of traditional rulers, clergymen, stakeholders, and all other partners in making the programme a success, thus calling their efforts a welcome development.
In her remarks, the wife of the Governor of Enugu State, Mrs. Nkechinyere Iheoma Mbah, who was represented by her Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Barr. Chidimma Egonu, extolled the commitment of Barr. Ukwueze to the provision of quality education for those at the grassroots level.
She stated that education empowerment of the people, especially those at the grassroots level, is one that the administration of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah cherishes so much, which informed the introduction of the smart school initiative as well as experiential learning, adding that Governor Mbah’s administration will continue to do more.
“The pursuit of inclusive education remains central to this administration because knowledge is the foundation of progress. Our focus is to ensure that children in rural communities are given the same opportunities as their urban counterparts. Through smart schools, experiential learning, and sustained support, the Governor remains committed to expanding access, improving quality, and preparing our youths for a competitive future.”
