…Bags Award of Excellence from Canon Law Society of Nigeria
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has assured Church leaders that the Smart Green Schools initiative will not diminish the Church’s role in basic education. He described the Church as an indispensable partner in the state’s educational development.
Mbah acknowledged the Church’s historic contributions to education in Enugu State, the former Eastern Region and Nigeria. He said no responsible government could ignore its legacy or continuing influence on the education system.
The governor spoke during the 38th Convention of the Canon Law Society of Nigeria (CLSN) in Enugu on Wednesday. The event also celebrated the 95th birthday of the society’s founder and former Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Most Rev. Anthony Gbuji.
The convention took place at the Ghost Cathedral, Enugu, where Mbah delivered a keynote address titled “Role of the Church in Shaping Education and Development in Enugu State.”
Mbah Assures Church Leaders of Continued Partnership
Mbah said some Church leaders had expressed concern about whether the government’s investment in public schools would leave Church-owned institutions behind.
He acknowledged their concerns and emphasised the importance of their contribution to the state’s educational future.
“The Church is essential to the educational transformation we are undertaking,” the governor said.
He added that government investment in a new learning system would be counterproductive if Church educators and institutions became disconnected from the process.
“We need you in our basic education system. We need your teachers, your experience and your continuing commitment to the development of our children,” he said.
The governor’s assurance comes amid the state’s broader education reforms. Readers can also learn about Mbah’s unveiling of his administration’s achievements, which includes developments across different sectors.
Governor Urges Church Schools to Embrace New Teaching Methods
While reaffirming the Church’s role, Mbah urged Church educators to embrace emerging teaching methods. He said they could adopt new approaches while preserving the values and traditions that have shaped their contribution to education.
The governor stressed that government and the Church must continue working together to advance education and nation-building. He acknowledged that introducing new learning methods would require changes to some established practices.
“We will have to work through practical questions about training, standards, resources and implementation. Some established practices will need to change,” he said.
Mbah also highlighted the need for practical cooperation between both sides. He said the government intended to translate its commitment into measures that would support educators in Church-owned schools.
The state’s education reforms have also attracted attention through other initiatives. These include the education policy unveiled by Mbah, which addresses the direction of education development in Enugu State.
Church Educators to Benefit From Professional Training
Mbah disclosed that Catholic priests were already being incorporated into the training process under the new education initiative. He added that teachers in Church-owned schools should also benefit from the capacity-building opportunities available to government school teachers.
“Our intention is that Church educators should have access to the professional development opportunities being created for teachers in government schools,” he said.
The governor explained that experiential learning would require teachers across both systems to develop the necessary knowledge and skills.
He described access to professional development as an obligation the government must take seriously. The approach, he said, would help Church educators participate in the state’s changing educational system.
The administration has pursued other development programmes alongside its education reforms. Its wider plans include efforts to sustain development gains across Enugu State.
Mbah Recognises Church’s Historic Contribution to Education
Reflecting on the history of education in the state, the governor praised Catholic missionaries for expanding access to learning. He said they established schools, trained teachers and created opportunities for families before the present educational system emerged.
Mbah noted that mission schools across the former Eastern Region became centres of learning and intellectual ambition. These institutions helped shape generations of educated Nigerians.
“The Catholic Church has earned a distinguished place in the educational history of Enugu and Nigeria,” he said.
He added that the state owed a considerable debt to the educational foundation established by the Church.
The governor’s remarks highlighted the importance of preserving the contributions of religious institutions while adapting to modern educational needs.
Enugu’s wider development agenda also includes efforts to attract investment. The state has pursued opportunities in several sectors, including agriculture, energy and technology through engagement with Germany.
Governor Links Education to Moral Responsibility
Mbah said the Church’s influence extended beyond establishing schools and producing graduates. He described its role in nurturing moral values and encouraging responsibility to society as equally important.
According to him, education should produce accomplished individuals who understand their responsibility to the common good.
“A nation can produce highly accomplished individuals and still fail to build a society in which people flourish together,” he said.
He argued that personal development should go hand in hand with a commitment to helping others. The governor described this principle as an important part of the educational tradition established by the Church.
He urged educators to preserve that inheritance as they adopt new teaching methods and prepare children for the future.
The state’s development plans also feature economic ambitions beyond education. The NACCIMA has praised Mbah on security and Enugu’s economic ambition.
Mbah Thanks Canon Law Society for Award
The governor thanked the Canon Law Society of Nigeria for conferring an Award of Excellence on him. He said the recognition had strengthened his administration’s resolve to make Enugu a preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and living.
The award formed a major highlight of the convention. Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, presented it to the governor.
The recognition came as the administration continued to pursue development projects across the state. One such development is the commissioning of a multi-billion-naira pharmaceutical company in Enugu.
Bishop Obodo Cautions Priests Against Partisan Politics
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Canon Law Committee of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Ernest Obodo, urged Catholic priests to uphold Canon Law.
He specifically referenced Canon 287, which concerns partisan political activities. Obodo, who also serves as Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, said priests must remain fathers to all and protect the Church’s moral authority.
He warned that political statements from the pulpit could divide communities. However, he also said remaining silent in the face of injustice could betray the Gospel.
“Nothing destroys the credibility of the Church faster than a priest who becomes a political sycophant and whose candidate later fails or is found corrupt,” he said.
Obodo’s remarks focused on the need for priests to maintain credibility while engaging with public issues. He urged them to avoid conduct that could undermine the Church’s standing in society.
The wider discussion of public leadership also connects with the Guild of Editors’ assessment of Mbah’s infrastructure projects.
Convention Highlights Cooperation in Education and Development
Mbah’s address centred on continued cooperation between the government and Church-owned educational institutions. He said the Smart Green Schools initiative should create opportunities for shared progress rather than weaken the Church’s role.
He also stressed the need to extend training opportunities to Church educators as new teaching methods take shape. His position reflects the administration’s stated intention to involve both public and Church-owned schools in educational development.
The governor’s assurance comes as Enugu pursues other programmes aimed at improving livelihoods and supporting communities. These include the South-East agro-development programme launched by Mbah and the SEDC.
The convention ended with the presentation of the Award of Excellence to Mbah by Bishop Onaga. The event also featured calls for Catholic priests to uphold Canon Law and preserve the Church’s credibility in public life.
