The Imo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Gertrude Udoka has charged candidates seating for the 2017 Secondary School Certificate Examination and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (SSCE/UTME) to study hard and shun the idea that a miracle center will help them.
Hon. Udoka who spoke at Bongo Center Owerri, Imo State, on Thursday, March 30, 2017, during the grand finale of the free SSCE/UTME workshop for candidates in Imo State organized by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to Imo State Governor on Entertainment and Public Affairs, in partnership with Ministry of Education and Cambridge College of Advanced Studies, told the students that they can never find themselves in days better than what they have now especially when the administration of Governor Rochas Okorocha has made everything about education free.
The passionate educationist further stated that the only way the students can make it is if they can queue into what they have learned during the workshop that kicked off on Monday March 13, 2017, adding that only those who study in accordance with the latest rules and regulations of these examination bodies will find it easy to succeed without going to seek for help in miracle centers, which will no longer exist because of the new system put up by JAMB.
The commissioner further hailed the coordinators of the event for the initiative and ensuring that SSCE/UTME candidates in Imo State learn how to go about their calculations in lesser stress and amount of time.
In his speech, the Senior Special Assistant to Imo State Governor on Entertainment and Public Affairs, Hon. Chukwunonye Irouno whom the Education Commissioner tagged ‘Unique’ for initiating the programme, hammered on the need for such programmes across the three zones of the state, adding that it will only be fair to equip all candidates in the state with the same tools before the examination.
He urged the students to take advantage of the free workshop, calling for more sponsors to enable the resource persons reach other zones of the state. He then applauded those who have already supported the programme by ensuring the candidates get free books that will teach them shortcuts to SSCE and UTME calculations.
Also speaking, the coordinator of Cambridge College of Advanced Studies, Mr. Izuchukwu Irouno stated that with the recent reduction from 3 hours to 2 hours in their examination time by JAMB, only makes it possible for those well equipped with shortcuts to calculations to finish on time. He noted that the shortcuts have never failed and while it saves time for the candidates, it also boosts their confidence level while in the examination hall and all of them are contained in the free books being distributed to the students at the event.
Chief of Staff to Government House Owerri, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu; Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Kingsley Chima Uju; Secretary to State Government, Sir Gorge Eche; Commissioner for Lands Hon. Lawrence Eburuoh; and Commissioner for Education Hon. Gertrude Udoka were among the sponsors mentioned.
Alongside the presentation of the free books to candidates from the 12 schools that participated in the workshop, the students entertained themselves and the guests with talk shows, dance, comedy and music performances while Special Assistants to the Governor on Media Production and Electronic Media, Hon. Prince Odunze and Dr. Nzewuji respectively were among the guests at the event.
Other guests include the Executive Secretary of Secondary Eductaion Management Board, Mr. C.O.E Chukwu; Nollywood Chief Veteran, Vitalis Ndubuisi, Nneoma Ukapbi, Sonex, Acharaman and host of other members of the Imo Based Artiste League.
