We continued with OKOROCHA'S free education policy -Imo Information commissioner

While there are rumours that the Imo state government led by Emeka Ihedioha will proscribe the FREE EDUCATION policy of his predecessor; Sen. Rochas Okorocha, the Imo state commissioner for information; Emeka Felix Ebiliekwe in a press release has affirmed that status quo remains as regards the Okorocha's free education policy in the state as it affects all Imo state owned primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary institutions.

Rivers Governor

This swift press release from the information commissioner is said to have come following the planned protest by Imo state students in various tertiary institutions in the state under the aegis of the supreme and parent students umbrella body housing all Imo state students at home and in diaspora; National Union of Imo state students (NUISS) via the rumoured plan of the Emeka Ihedioha's led government to cancel the free education program in the state.

Below is a copied detail of the press release made by the current Imo state commissioner for information and orientation:

IMO STATE GOVERNMENT

OFFICE OF THE HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION AND ORIENTATION

18/092019

Press Release! 

FREE EDUCATION

Status Quo Remains ~Imo Government

This is to clarify the misconception on the position of the Rebuild Imo government led by His Excellency, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha CON, over the issue of free education policy; while the government is still putting together a more comprehensive education policy, geared towards giving Ndi-Imo an all-round qualitative education, the best of its kind, we wish to make use of this medium to make it categorically clear, that the government of Ihedioha has not in any way instructed any head of any State owned schools to be collecting school fees under any guise, as the status quo remains in the free education policy. 

This is important to make clear and unambiguous; and on the strength of this, parents, guidance, and indeed the entire Imo populace, are by this notice advised to strongly disregard the rumours or calculated campaigns of calumny concocted by opposition elements to deceive the general public, also geared towards pitching Ndi-Imo against their people oriented Rebuild Imo government.

 

Consequently, the State Government through the ministry of education has advised parents and guidance to strictly resist any plans to impose any illegal expenses on them in the name of school fees and also report such unholy act to the appropriate quarters.

It's instructive to note, that the State Government, under the able and capable leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (CON), is not only poised to rebuild the battered education sector and present a more articulated, sound, and well defined education policy that will be appreciated by Ndi-Imo, in the mold and spirit of the Rebuilding process, but also to ensure qualitative education, poised at uplifting the moral life, and educational standard of Imo children and youths through this comprehensive policy.

Therefore, let us support the Rebuild Imo initiatives! 

#LetsRebuildImo! 

Hon. Barr. Emeka Felix Ebiliekwe

[Commissioner for Information and Orientation]

Now, one will wonder why on assumption into office, the Emeka Ihedioha's government officials criticized the free education policy, noting that it never existed. But today, the press release made by the commissioner for information has affirmed to the general public that Former Governor Okorocha sustained the free education program for eight years.

The senate president, national union of Imo state students (NUISS); Rt.Comr. Gilbert Ethco thanked the commissioner for coming out to inform the public that indeed Okorocha's government did well in providing free education for 8yrs and that the Emeka Ihedioha's government will sustain the same policy for Imo students to remain happy.