Education: N100m support fund for physically challenged students –Akwa Ibom Governor

*Governor (Pastor) Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria discloses passion moves him to pledge the intervention fund for the indigenous physically challenged students of the state, to have ‘a sense of belonging’ in line with the ‘political inclusion’ drive of his new administration

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In a move to give the students’ body a sense of belonging and underscore the political inclusion drive of the administration, the Akwa Ibom State Government has instituted a N100 million Education Intervention Fund to assist the physically challenged indigenous students and other disabled learners  residing and studying in public tertiary institutions across the South-South state.

Governor (Pastor) Umo Eno, announced this when he granted audience to the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) Chapter of the National Association of Students with Disabilities.

Comrade Emmanuel Wisdom, President of the Association, led his members on courtesy visit to the Government House, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, report said.

On hand to receive the Students were Secretary to the State Government , Prince Enobong Uwah; Permanent Secretary Government House, Mr Godwin Udoh; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Lady Rose Bassey and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Margret Edem, Channels TV report said.

Affected students deserve to have ‘a sense of belonging’ 

Governor Eno, while announcing the intervention fund for the physically challenged students, said passion moved him to give the students’ body a sense of belonging to underscore the political inclusion drive of his administration.

Officials to begin profiling, disbursement of fund to beneficiaries

Following his administration’s pledge to the student, the governor has mandated the Office of Accountant General, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ministry of Education as well as the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare to supervise the disbursement of the fund.

Eno also directed the officials to ensure the school fees are paid directly to the institutions of learning of the beneficiaries, and allowances given to the students after due profiling.

He, however, warned against bureaucratic bottlenecks in the disbursement of the fund.

The governor further explained the state government’s gesture is to encourage the the students’ body and make life easier for them.

According to him, some physically challenged persons are more focused than those with no disability.

The Governor also announced a cash donation to Mr. Udeme Emmanuel, one of the physically challenged students aside from a monthly stipend to aid his participation in the Law School.

The governor as well assured him of automatic employment in the Ministry of Justice upon his completion of the course of study.

Students appointed as PAs to Governor Eno

Two of the students Emmanuel Wisdom and Ubong Imoh Ikpe were appointed as Personal Assistant (PA) on Student Matters and Personal Assistant on Students with Disability respectively.

The students expressed appreciation to the Governor for his political inclusion agenda, acknowledging that the physically challenged have been positively touched and promised to carrying out their duties with diligence and deliver on their mandate.

Kindly Share This Story