Chigbogu, Paul Udoji, chigbogupauludoji@gmail.com
As Omor community sustains a phase of her knowledge economy development plans, Education Promotion Organization (EPO), a non-governmental, non-political and non-profit oriented organization established in 1996 by a cream of Omor indigenous academics under the pioneer leadership of Professor Victor N. Ogugua of the Biochemistry at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has declared state of emergency on education and every 24th December as “EDUCATION DAY” in Omor community.
The organization was launched to kick-start the community’s preparedness to face strategically the dynamics, challenges and joys inherent in the nascent knowledge economy via qualitative and competitive education. Hence, a niche has been carved out to produce unprecedented growth and development driven by education via inclusive and dynamic development strategies.
EPO AT A GLANCE
“If you see any economy that is not doing well, find out what is spent on education” (Ola, 1998). In line with this, in recent development literature, education has been identified as the propeller of economic growth and development. If education is a growth and development catalyst, why has meaningful growth and development eluded Nigeria over time with her uncountable number of higher institutions?
Studies have shown that it is not education per se that contributes to meaningful growth and development elsewhere but quality education. Looking at sectoral budgetary allocations in most high performing economies, education happens to be among the sectors that top their lists. Economic wonders and miracles which characterize the success stories of the South-East Asian tiger economies is partly attributed to education
Meanwhile, it is pertinent for us to acknowledge the fact that the global economy is knowledge driven and that overt challenging knowledge-gap exists in our dear community. In furtherance of the need to fill this gap, EPO is committed to preparing ndi-Omor youths and to face the challenges and joys inherent in trending knowledge economy.
Rationale and Objectives of EPO
Education Promotion Organization, Omor (EPO) was established to lay sustainable good education foundation for future generations and launch Omor community into the forefront of the knowledge economy. The specific objectives include the following:
- To launch Omor community into the forefront of knowledge economy;
- To fill a devastating knowledge-gap in Omor community;
- To bridge the access to education inequality gap between children from poor families and those from rich families;
- To meaningfully engage our youths via qualitative and competitive education;
- To raise the standard of education in Omor;
- To nurture and produce students who can globally compete favourably with their counterparts;
- To give material rewards to exceptional students and at the same time encourage others to take their studies serious.
EPO’ 2020 Schedule of Events
DATE: Every 24th December.
TIME: 9 am.
VENUE: Aturia Civic Center, Omor, Ayamelum LGA, Anambra state.
EVENTS: Inter village Quiz competitions done with projector, paper and scholarly presentations, inspirational and motivational speeches, success stories, etc.
LIST OF EXISTING AWARDS/PRIZES
1. “EPO” Prize to the Overall Best Village.
2. “EPO” Prize to the 2nd Overall Best Village.
3. “EPO” Prize to the 3rd Overall Best Village.
4. “EPO” Prize to the Overall Best student.
5. “EPO” Prize to the 2nd Overall Best student.
6. “EPO” Prize to the 3rd Overall Best student.
7. “EPO” Prize to the Overall Best female student.
8. “EPO” prize to the Overall Best Audience.
9. “EPO” Consolation prizes.
10. Emma Oforle University Scholarship Award to the Overall Best Student.
11. Emma Oforle University Scholarship Award to the Overall Best Female Student.
12. Paul Chigbogu Education Foundation Prize to the Best Student in Economics.
13. Engr. Celestine Achebe Prize to the Best Student in Literature-in-English.
14. Dr Hycienth U. Nwalieji prize to the Best Student in Agriculture.
15. Johnson Nweke Medical Laboratory Science Award to the E.P.O. Overall Best Student.
16. Johnson Nweke Medical Laboratory Science Award to the E.P.O. Overall Best Village.
17. ARO Diagnostic Laboratory Award to the E.P.O. Overall Best Student.
18. Great Omor Town (GOT) Award to the E.P.O Overall Best Student.
19.Omor Born Again Christian Association (OBACA) Prize to the “EPO” Overall Best Student.
20. Peter Udegbunam Prize to the E.P.O. Overall Best Student
21. Lawrence Okomma Prize to the Overall Best Student in Government
22. Mathematical Association of Nigeria (MAN), Omor Chapter Prize to the Overall Best Student in Mathematics
23. Promise Anozie Prize to the Overall Best Student
24. Fred. O Madumelu of Fredo Gold and Company Ltd prize to the best student in Government
25. Livinus Ugwonwa prize to the best student in Chemistry
26. Kingsley Tochukwu Onuorah prize to the best science student
27. Engr C.C Okeke prize to the best student in ICT
28. Evang. Emmanuel Mgbechi prize to the best student in Computer Studies
29. Eduno John A. Prize to the EPO overall best female student
30. And many other intimidating & amazing prizes/awards.