Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Okorocha declares free education in Imo State

Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, on Tuesday declared that no student or pupil of Imo State origin studying in any institution owned by the state would pay fees.

He also announced scholarships for all students and pupils of Imo State origin from primary to tertiary level.

Addressing a huge crowd at the Imo Freedom Square in Owerri, the governor promised to pay a scholarship of N100,000 to each student of Imo origin in Imo State University.

Each recipient would get N70,000 free and N30,000 as a loan to be paid upon completion of studies.

He said no collateral would be attached to the loan.

For those at OND level in the state polytechnics, they will get N60,000, broken down into N40,000 free and N20,000 loan. Those at HND level will get N80,000, broken down into N60,000 free and N20,000 loan.

The sum will be paid from the next academic session.

He also said his administration was planning to pay bursary of between N400 and N600 each quarter to each primary school pupil from the state.

He said from September 2012, every school in the state would be autonomous.

He said the headmaster would be responsible for the running of the primary school and that each school would be graded according to performance in external examinations.

He promised to visit schools that come out tops.

The governor said schoolchildren would collect cheques for the payment of their fees from September 2012.

He, however, warned that any child involved in criminal activities would forfeit the educational assistance programmes.

He also appealed to staff of Imo State University to return to work immediately and receive their salaries. He also said he would revive the institution and ensure the realisation of its plan to move to a permanent site.

He also promised that by September, every indigene of the state would be given access to free healthcare. He also said his administration would establish an ambulance service.

He also said his administration would build a five star hotel in Orlu and Okigwe zones.

The governor appealed to his predecesor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, to join hands with him to rebuild the state.

He also said he had curbed financial malpractices and ensured the regular payment of salaries.

Okorocha also said he recently punished some state officials for delaying the salaries of civil servants.

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