By Ifeanyi Iheakanwa

Students in higher institutions in Imo state have been urged to advocate for peace and uphold its virtues as they aspire to go higher in life through their academic pursuit.

The Speaker of Imo House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, gave this admonition over the weekend while playing host to the leadership of National Association of Imo State Students (NAIS).

Olemgbe who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Hon. Cajetan Anowi, during the courtesy visit, said students, the world over, are highly respected by all and sundry because, according to him, they are the leaders of tomorrow.

Describing the visit as timely, the Speaker reminded the students of the Governor's love for education as he quickly recalled the empowerment of over 15,000 Imo students with Electronic Gadgets including laptops to enhance their digital skills.

According to Rt. Hon Chike Olemgbe,  available statistics in the nation's education sector clearly indicate that Imo, the Eastern heartland, has maintained a comfortable lead in terms of number, quality and viability of tertiary institutions of learning among states of the federation.

He recalled that the Governor has been able to demonstrate his love for education by facilitating the immediate upgrade of the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education to a federal University of Education, the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri got converted to Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) Teaching Hospital, while arrangements have been concluded for the Benjamin Uwajumogu College of Education, Ihitte-Uboma to bag recognition from the  Federal Ministry of Education as a full-fledged College of Education.

Chike Olemgbe further, observed that a good number of Imo state government-owned secondary and tertiary institutions of learning had undergone renovations and, repositioned in a bid to create conducive learning environment.

He drew the attention of the NAISS executives to the fact that government is fast winning the war  against cultism and indecent dressing in  schools under its jurisdiction and charged all students to join hands with government  towards ensuring a peaceful and conducive atmosphere for learning in the state.

He further applauded the Governor for resolving to pay the school fees of 105 law graduate students of Imo state origin presently  proceeding to the law school at Enugu,  Kaduna and Lagos.

On the issue of scholarship for students of Imo state origin, the speaker expressed hope that the procedure for the award of scholarships at all levels of education would be reexamined to ensure justice and fairness.

He further described Imo students as very resourceful and contributory to the success story Shared Prosperity Government of Senator Hope Uzodinma, pledging the Assembly's readiness to partner with all sets of students from the state, urging them to always call on him whenever necessary.

Earlier in his address to the speaker, the National President of NAISS, Comrade Metu Franklin Hapuruchukwu commended Governor Uzodimma  for according education priority attention in the scheme of things.

Comrade Metu and other members of the team who spoke at the occasion sought government assistance in the areas of provision of  office accommodation in Owerri, the Imo state capital, operational vehicle, enhancement of scholarship opportunities and logistics for the umbrella body of students of Imo state origin to function effectively.