Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pst Umo Eno, has announced N100m Educational Intervention Fund for the physically challenged students of Akwa Ibom origin studying in public institutions and other disabled students residing in the state.
The Governor announced this on Monday when he granted an audience to the University of Uyo chapter of the National Association of Students with Disabilities, led by its President, Emmanuel Wisdom, who was on a courtesy visit at Government House, Uyo.
Gov. Eno said he was moved by the passion to give the student body a sense of belonging to underscore the political inclusion drive of his administration.
He directed the Office of Accountant General, Secretary to the State Government, Ministry of Education as well as Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare to supervise the disbursement of the fund.
The governor who also directed that the school fees be paid directly to the schools of the beneficiaries and allowances given to the students after due profiling, warned against bureaucratic bottlenecks in the disbursement of the fund, adding that the gesture is to encourage them and make life easier for them.
He said “We will deposit one hundred million naira into that fund immediately to support all disabled or physically challenged students in the public tertiary institutions for disabled Akwa Ibom students and those residing around here.
“That money is set aside for them. The Ministry of Women Affairs and Ministry of Education will verify that the beneficiaries are in school and pay school fees directly to their schools, then give them a little allowance to keep them in school until graduation.
“It’s just a hundred million naira. From time to time we may augment it but for now, we will put it there. The Ministry of Women Affairs will ensure that they profile them properly so that they make sure they benefit from it.
“All you need is an approval to open maybe a joint Account and the money will be kept there as your profile and finish the SSG will authorise payment.
“I don’t want the bureaucratic bottleneck of them applying and there is no money so we put the money there for you to manage and give us the report but please let’s verify and make sure these are the right people and encourage them.
“This idea is to encourage them and make life easier for them. At least if they want to go to school let’s pay their tuition because they are doing very well and even better than some of us that say we are not challenged.
“Like I said in one of those meetings all of us are challenged in one way or the other. I just want to say that you are not alone, we will work with you and support you”, he explained.
The Governor also announced a cash donation to one of the disabled Students Mr Udeme Emmanuel, in addition to a monthly stipend to aid his participation in the Law School, and assured him of automatic employment in the Ministry of Justice on his completion of the course.
“I believe that if the physically challenged ones among us love to go to school we must support them, for Mr Udeme Emmanuel who is leaving for law school, we will support him and pay a monthly allowance for his upkeep and give him automatic employment in the Ministry of Justice immediately he is through with the law school”, he stated.
One of the students, Emmanuel Wisdom was appointed Personal Assistant on Student Matters while another student, Ubong Imoh Ikpe, was appointed Personal Assistant on Students with Disability.
Speaking with newsmen, the appointees, Mr. Emmanuel Wisdom and Mr. Ubong Ikpe, expressed appreciation to the Governor for his political inclusion agenda, adding that the physically challenged have been positively touched and promised to carry out their duties with diligence and deliver on their mandates.
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