The Anambra State Government has reiterated that the current administration is poised to partner with foreign investors in areas that will mutually beneficial to the partners and the state.

Governor Willie Obiano made this known while receiving the Ambassador of Kingdom of Thailand, Mr. Chailert Limsomboon, at the government House Awka today.

Governor Obiano who was represented by the Chief of Staff of Anambra State, Prof. Joe Asike, described the visit as the beginning of greater business relationships and partnerships.

He recalled that the visit is one of the proceeds of the Thai-Anambra State Business Summit which held earlier in the year when an enlarged Thai delegation visited Anambra.

Obiano thanked Ambassador Linsomboon and the delegation for their interest in the Anambra education sector and assured them of the government commitment to the actualisation of their programme and expressed the hope that the partnership will open up more opportunities.

Welcoming the delegation at the State Ministry of Education, Commissioner for Education Professor Kate Omenugha said that one of the ideas behind the visit is to ensure that “we give our children education that is globally competitive.” She described the State Ministry is huge, with education a vital enabler in the administration of Chief Obiano, stressing that the ministry is working assiduously to ensure that Anambra children are given the best form of education at all times.

According to Prof. Omenugha, “The Governor is interested in education especially vocational and technical education, hence the extensive attention in the area.” She however regretted that technical colleges in the state are not yet up to the expected standard. She recalled that collaborations like the recent trip of select Anambra teachers to Singapore to train in technical subjects areas were geared towards resuscitating technical education. She expressed high hopes that ongoing efforts will improve the standards in technical education in the state.

Explaining the thrust of the state technical education, the Commissioner stated that the strategic objective of the state is to be amongst the three top states with lowest literacy rate in Nigeria. She also noted that there are about 36 trade subjects including cosmetology, tilling, amongst others. Furthermore, she informed the delegation that state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with indigenous companies like Innoson Automobile to teach young graduates of Engineering with interest in automobile engineering; while Girl-child education, focuses on ensuring that the girls attain the necessary education by discouraging street hawking by girls of school age.

In his reaction, the Thai Ambassador Mr. Chailert Limsomboon said that they were in Anambra to seek further areas of cooperation in education. He stated that their interest is high on African Community Initiative on education and expressed optimism that the discussions and deliberations will be fruitful and of immense benefit to both partners.

Also speaking, Facilitator of the visit Professor Amazigo who retired from World Health Organization is now championing community education, maintained that such partnership will help a lot of children in Anambra in line with the provisions of UBEC Law which provides for the feeding of under privileged children.

•Photo shows Chairman House Committee on Education, Hon Vivian Okadigbo, Manging Director/CEO, Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), Chief Joe Billy Ekwunife, Hon Commissioner for Education, Prof Kate Omenugha, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof Joe Asike and Ambassador Kingdom of Thailand, His Excellency Mr. Chailert Limsomboon and Facilitator of the visit, Professor Uche Amazigo during yesterday’s visit to Government House Awka.

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