Madu

We have begun clearing the illegal shanties and market stalls built along the median of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. As we rebuild the Lagos-Badagry Expressway into a modern 10-lane highway, we cannot allow its median to become a market, a settlement or a site for illegal structures. There is absolutely no reason for anyone to trade, build makeshift shops or live on the median of a major highway. It is unsafe, illegal and unacceptable. We often compare Lagos with some of the world’s leading cities and ask why we cannot be like them. The truth is that those cities work because people respect public infrastructure and obey the rules. We cannot expect a world-class city while refusing to show the discipline needed to keep one. Dumping waste indiscriminately or building illegal structures along our highways will not move us forward. If we want a cleaner, safer and more organised Lagos, discipline and personal responsibility must become part of our everyday culture. That is how we build a city we can all be proud of.

We captured this beautiful moment as Egejurum Onyedikachi and Don-Anele Munachimso arrived at Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, yesterday to a true hero's welcome. These are not football stars. They are not musicians. They are not politicians. They are children. Children who became the world's best in Mathematics in the Primary and Senior categories. Don-Anele Munachimso is also the world's best in Science. The last literary figures from the South East to receive this kind of heroic public welcome were Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Watching our brightest young minds being celebrated like national heroes gives me hope. For too long, we have celebrated almost everything except academic excellence. That is beginning to change. Education is reclaiming its rightful place in our society, and a generation of children is growing up believing that knowledge, hard work and excellence deserve standing ovations too. This is bigger than two children. This is the beginning of a movement.

Mark their faces and remember their names: Chimdiebube Onwubiko, Egejurum Onyedikachi Ethan, and Don Anele Munachimso. They will all be global superstars. You wonder what’s next after the Olympiad? The show is about to begin. You will follow their live journey to greatness. We will be introducing an Education Hall of Fame, and they will be inducted. This team will travel to several countries for competitions, and we will all enjoy the journey. New outstanding students will join them, while those who are going to university will become exco members. Each and every one of them will get into an Ivy League university in the US or top universities in the UK or Europe. This is the time for education to take its place in our society.

This is exactly how regional government will drive development through competition whether genuine or pure ethnic jingoism = win win for all.

@peero007 This is exactly how regional government will drive development through competition whether genuine or pure ethnic jingoism = win win for all.

In the coming months, we'll see more people trying to do what Alex Onyia has done and is doing for children education-wise, in whatever scale they can; some driven by inspiration and motivation, some driven by seeing it as some type of competition against Alex (howbeit, a phantom competition), and some driven by jealousy and greed. Whatever it is, it feels like a win-win for education in Nigeria, for Nigerian children, and for generations unborn (when it becomes a legacy and an institution)

@AfiaTvOfficial What is certain henceforth is that people from outside South East and outside the country will consider bringing their kids to study in South East . Thats a welcome development!

History has been made! Onyedikachi Egejurum has won the Overall Best Gold Medal in the Primary Mathematics Category globally at the International STEM Olympiad in Rome!

@winexviv What is certain henceforth is that people from outside South East and outside the country will consider bringing their kids to study in South East . Thats a welcome development!

Master Chisom Unachukwu and Anthony Iwegbu are their maths teachers. They helped their students conquer the world. Their schools are Evergreen Schools Enugu and Diamond Special College Owerri. What a day!

NOTHING. Absolutely nothing, can save Nigeria from the current decline except a restructure to regional governance. NOTHING. Everyone must be allowed to develop at their own pace. Ironically, this will force each region to measure up. Everyone has natural resources. The SE has the least, but, that's ok. Brains and brawn will make up for it. What is the obstacle. Who is afraid. RESTRUCTURE FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH, SECURITY AND BETTER NATIONAL COHESION.

We came to Rome and we conquered.

Onyedikachi Egejurum got a Gold. He is the best in Mathematics in the world Primary Category. This is the beginning of greatness for the country.

More good news. Don Anele Munachimso also won gold in Science. He is the best in world science. Remember, he is the best in IGCSE Chemistry in Nigeria. The investment is worth it.

Egejurum Onyedikachi shares his experience winning the gold medal at the International STEM Olympiad Grand Final in Rome. He is the best in the world in the Mathematics Primary Category. He is a genius.

This is wonderful! Well done Alex and your team. Big congratulations for the boys and their teachers🎊 👏

@winexviv I just screamed!!!!! What a news! So proud of you all! 👏 May God bless you Alex. 🙏

The wait is over. We have 2 golds: Chimdiebube Onwubiko and Don Anele Munachimso. We are the best in the world! Egejurum Onyedikachi’s name was omitted. He should have a gold.

If tribalism is not banned in Nigeria and made a serious crime as is it in Rwanda, Nigeria can never move forward as a Nation. A divided nation cannot progress!

@winexviv Exactly what I like to see.

Over 30,000 children have already registered for the 2027 South East Maths Olympiad. We will be unlocking a new set of exceptional students and teachers. They all need our support to reach the heights of their greatness. Education equals prosperity.

@UchePOkoye What Black African teams lack. Inferiority complex is a big mental problem.

Morocco mentality is highly intimidating. They approach their games with a lot of energy and passion.