Okorocha approves N300 million bursary for students of Imo State origin

Determined to ensure affordable and qualitative education in Imo State, the State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has approved the sum of N300 million as bursary for indigenes of Imo State in the tertiary Institutions.

The State Governor who disclosed this during a breakfast meeting he held with the State Technical Committee on Education at the State government House, Owerri recently, said that education was the basic tool for any child to face the future, adding that he took an oath to make Imo better than he met it and started with free education which he said would empower Imo children to take over the leadership of the State and the nation.

 Speaking further at the meeting, Governor Okorocha revealed that the crime wave in the State since the inception of his administration had reduced drastically. According to him, about 70% of reported crimes were committed by students, but with the introduction of free education, students no longer indulge in crimes to meet academic demands. He promised a gift of I-pad software to every Imo graduating student whose grade points (GP) came up to 4, while overall best student of every Tertiary Institution in the State would be handsomely rewarded.

He charged the students to appreciate the wonderful opportunity given to them by the State government by shunning every criminal tendency and to be good ambassadors of the State, adding that his administration was anchored on the spirit of sacrifice to make the State better and ensure the wellbeing of the poor.

Said he; “I am not your governor for the financial profit of the job but to make a difference in the state. I want to write my name in gold.” 

 He further disclosed that the forfeiture of his security vote and luxury helped in the numerous achievements he has recorded so far and commended his wife for sharing his philosophy which gave rise to her pet project, ‘She Needs a Roof Project’ (SNARP), where the homeless were provided with homes.

Speaking earlier, the wife of the State governor, Nneoma Nkechi Rochas Okorocha who doubles as the Chairman, Issuance of Check for Free Education said that the essence of the meeting was to intimate stakeholders on the issues as regards to the issuance of checks to students and way forward.

Nneoma Okorocha disclosed that the State government had made provision for easy on-line assessment of the free education forms for students. She enjoined students to obtain the forms, fill and submit to their Traditional Rulers for endorsement as she noted that sometime in June, the flag-off will take place and they would be expected to come with their forms.

In his contribution, the Commissioner for Education (Tertiary) Prof. Uba Nnabue commended the State governor for bequeathing the State with the greatest legacy through the provision of qualitative and affordable free education. He observed that no country could develop beyond her educational attainment. He advised the students to obtain pin numbers for assessing the forms and to report their challenges in accessing the free education forms to the Ministry of Tertiary Education, adding that the forms were available to every Imo student.

In their separate speeches, the Vice Chancellor of Imo State University, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, the Rector, Imo Polytechnic, Rev. Fr. Wence Madu and the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Princess Ngozi Duru commended the State Governor for revitalizing and transforming the State education sector.

Present at the meeting were the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, the SSG, Prof. Anthony Anwuka, Members of the Imo Exco, House of Assembly Members, Permanent Secretaries, Heads and Departmental Heads of Tertiary Institutions in Imo State, Student Union Governments and others.