The Ntezi People’s Forum (N-PeF) has launched a bold and inspiring intervention to strengthen the quality of education in Ntezi community, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, through its Schools Marker-board Advancement for Reliable Teaching (SMART) Project.
With a total project cost of ₦339,000, funded entirely by contributions from members of a WhatsApp group of over 300 indigenes, N-PeF on Thursday delivered modern whiteboards to four public schools—three primary schools and one secondary school—marking a significant milestone in community-driven development.
Speaking on the initiative, founder of N-PeF, Zack Onwe, described the project as a demonstration of what citizens can achieve through unity and shared responsibility.
“The SMART Project demonstrates our belief that communities can support their own development while awaiting government or external support,” Onwe said. “When we take ownership of our problems and contribute, even in small ways, we can transform our schools and secure a better future for our children.”
Led by Uchenna Ogadu and Akpuro Sunday Prosper, the project team visited the beneficiary schools to hand over the whiteboards and observe the state of learning facilities. While some schools showed lively pupil engagement, others highlighted deeper concerns, including low attendance, shortage of teachers and in some cases, nearly deserted compounds.
“What we saw is deeply worrying,” Ogadu said after the inspection. “Some of our schools appear abandoned, and many classrooms lack teachers. As a group, we are doing our best, but we need urgent government intervention. Every community is only as strong as its educated population, who clearly understand what education is meant to achieve.”
Despite these challenges, the atmosphere in most schools was filled with excitement. At Community Primary School Ulepa Ntezi, pupils enthusiastically welcomed the whiteboards. At Ntezi Community Secondary School (Ozuma-Etta), teachers and students pledged to put the new learning resources to full use, describing the gesture as a morale boost.
The N-PeF team also paid homage to the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Ezeogo Francis Edechukwu (Ezeudo I of Ntezi), who applauded the effort and underscored the importance of community-led development.
“This is the true meaning of community development,” the Igwe said. “When people take responsibility for their future, the entire community benefits. I commend the Ntezi People’s Forum for this remarkable effort.”
For Onwe, the SMART Project is only one part of a broader vision to promote African-led development, starting from the grassroots.
“We want you to join us,” he said, calling on more indigenes and partners to support the initiative. “True development happens when communities are empowered to shape their own future.”
The SMART Project adds to previous interventions by the Forum, including scholarship schemes and the GoodWater Campaign, further affirming N-PeF’s commitment to transforming Ntezi through collective action and sustained community engagement.
Building the Future of Ntezi: Community Group Transforms Schools Through SMART Project
