A frontline aspirant for the Nnewi North mayoralty under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Cornel Osigwe, has pledged to declare a state of emergency on primary healthcare and primary education in Nnewi if elected Mayor.
Osigwe said education and healthcare form the foundation of any progressive society, warning that neglecting primary schools and community health centres amounts to mortgaging the future of the people.
Speaking while outlining his policy priorities, the aspirant described the condition of many primary schools in Nnewi as unacceptable, despite efforts by the Anambra State Government to recruit qualified teachers.
While commending Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo for employing competent teachers, Osigwe noted that quality teaching cannot thrive in dilapidated learning environments marked by leaking roofs, cracked walls, overcrowded classrooms and lack of basic learning facilities.
According to him, his administration would declare a state of emergency on primary education, focusing on the comprehensive renovation of dilapidated school buildings, upgrading classrooms to safe and child-friendly standards, and providing modern furniture and essential learning materials.
He also pledged to establish ICT and digital learning centres in primary schools and introduce basic digital literacy at the foundational level, stressing that early exposure to technology is critical for children to compete in a digital global economy.
“The children of Nnewi deserve classrooms that prepare them for the 21st century, not ones trapped in the past,” he said.
On healthcare, Osigwe expressed concern over the poor state of many primary health centres in the area, describing them as under-equipped and unable to meet basic medical needs. He said the situation forces residents to travel long distances for minor ailments, increasing pressure on tertiary hospitals and imposing avoidable financial burdens on families.
He promised that a state of emergency on primary healthcare would prioritize the renovation and modernization of health centres, provision of essential medical equipment, installation of solar power for uninterrupted services, and regular supply of essential drugs.
Osigwe also assured of deploying and supporting qualified nurses and community health workers, while strengthening primary health centres to handle common illnesses and basic emergencies.
He said revitalizing primary healthcare would reduce pressure on tertiary institutions such as the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, lower healthcare costs for residents, improve emergency response times, and bring quality healthcare closer to communities.
“Healthcare should not begin at a teaching hospital; it must begin in the community,” he stated.
The aspirant emphasized that declaring a state of emergency would go beyond rhetoric, describing it as a commitment to urgency, priority and accountability in governance.
He urged APGA to support his aspiration and grant him the party’s ticket, expressing confidence that focused investment in education and healthcare would build a healthier, smarter and more competitive Nnewi.
Osigwe is one of the leading contenders for the Nnewi North mayoral seat under the APGA platform.