The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Education, Dr Donatus Chukwuma Ilang, has been decorated as an Ambassador for Peace by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Abuja, in recognition of his leadership and crisis management in the education sector.
The award ceremony, held at the ministry office in Centenary City, Abakaliki, highlighted Dr Ilang’s work on teacher welfare, policy reform and conflict resolution in schools. The delegation from the institute, led by Mr Michael Chukwuemeka, said the honour reflected the commissioner’s achievements and commitment to improving education across the state.
Mr Chukwuemeka described Dr Ilang as dependable, hardworking and modest, adding that the institute had monitored his programmes over time and found him worthy of recognition. He said the award was a response to the commissioner’s visible impact on the sector.
Responding after the decoration, Ambassador Dr Donatus C. Ilang thanked God and dedicated the honour to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, saying the governor’s vision had driven many of the ministry’s initiatives. He appealed to staff to support the administration in delivering the governor’s agenda for education.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Mary Ngozi Otozi, and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary and Secondary Education, Hon Peter Nwogbaga, joined staff and stakeholders in congratulating the commissioner. They said the award recognised his resilience, passion and commitment to service and noted that recent policy initiatives had raised standards across public and private schools.
Pastor Sunday Alegu, a director in the ministry, said Dr Ilang had made significant contributions to the state’s education system and deserved the recognition. Staff, stakeholders and well wishers gathered to witness the ceremony at Block 4, Centenary City, Abakaliki.
Dr Ilang has become a visible symbol of the ministry’s push for reform and higher standards in Ebonyi State’s schools.