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…Declares Nov. 29 Free Education Day
Imo state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has extended his free education programme to students from other states pursuing their education career in the state owned tertiary institutions as government assumes the responsibility paying 50 percent of their tuition fees.
The governor disclosed this yesterday when the leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and Student Union Governments of all tertiary institutions in Imo state paid him a solidarity visit in government house, Owerri.
He explained that the gesture is for non-indigenous students in Imo State University, Imo State Polytechnic and College of Health Sciences Amaigbo whose counterparts of Imo origin are enjoying total free education.
Gov. Okorocha who reiterated the commitment of his administration in making education free at all level in the state, however urged his counterparts in other states to adopt similar measure towards creating opportunities for Nigerian students in other tertiary institutions to enjoy free education.
The governor promised to sustain the free education programme which he said to be topmost in the priority of his administration, warning that days of corruption and massive accumulation of wealth by public officers are gone for better things like free education at all level to happened in the state.
He urged students to make good use of the opportunity provided by his administration under the free education programme to build a better future as well as shun vices that are capable of ruining their future.
Gov. Okorocha, however, declared Nov. 29 a free education day to commemorate the solidarity visit by the leadership of NANS as the governor of Imo state while the president of the association will always be the special guest.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and president of NANS, Mr. Dauda Mohamed, said they came to demonstrate solidarity to Gov. Owelle Rochas Okorocha for his outstanding achievements in the education sector.
He described The governor as a man that truly represents hope for Nigerian students adding that his achievements within the short period in education sector have remarkably placed him as the commander of free education in the country.
The NANS president also declared critics of the free education in Imo state enemies of Nigerian students warning that the programme should not be politicized as the governor has done what many had described as impossibility.
Highlights of the event include the presentation of award by SUG presidents of tertiary institution in Imo state as commander of free education.
Ebere Uzoukwa
