News
Abia Abolishes Free Education Re-Introduces School Fees
Abia State government has formally reintroduced school fees abolished about nine years ago in the state just as it has put measures in place to shore up its Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR)
At the inception of the administration of former governor Orji Uzor Kalu, Abia introduced a free-tuition education, relieving parents of the burden of school fees. But the system was subverted by unscrupulous operators who introduced all sorts of illegal fees which left parents and guardians groaning under heavy fees.
Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief John Nwokocha, told newsmen at the end of the state Executive Council (EXCO) meeting last Wednesday, that the new school fees has been christened Development Fees.
Nwokocha said that the fee regime for primary schools in urban areas is N1,500 per annum per pupil while their counterparts in non-urban primary schools would pay N600 per annum per pupil.
He also said that each student in urban secondary school would pay N3,000 per annum, while those in non-urban secondary schools would pay N1,500 per student.
The commissioner explained that EXCO approved that the fees could be split into three and paid installmentally per term.
He said that EXCO approved the fees following its adoption of a report submitted by an eight-man committee set up to articulate how government could improve on its IGR and announced that with the introduction of the new school fees, “all levies in schools have been abolished.”
Answering a question on whether the state government would still pride itself as running a free education system, he replied: “If you had followed me keenly, you would have underscored the point that all other fees have been abolished. You will agree with me that there were multifarious of fees in schools. There were some people who claimed they were collecting fees for what you call the PTA, etc. and the there were so many fees but what the state government has done is to harmonise these fees into a development fee. This is to augment what government is giving to the schools as subvention for us to have standard facilities and, of course, improve the condition of learning in the schools.”
The commissioner also announced that henceforth, all financial transactions by and with government of the state would be by electronic payment (e-payment) while anybody who has any business to do with government would be required to show a tax clearance certificate covering three years period.
“EXCO today also resolved that for every business you want to do with the Abia State government – those who are coming for contracts, registration of pupils and students in schools, you have to provide evidence of tax clearance for, at least, three years,” he said, adding, “the highlight of today’s EXCO meeting was the introduction or the launch of the e-payment system. If you are to do any business- to pay fees, levies in the state, it has to be done electronically. We have from today ceased to do any cash dealings. There are designated banks and account numbers that anybody who has anything to do or to make payments to the Abia State government would go through those processes.”
According to him, these were part of the measures taken by EXCO to plug all leakages in the revenue system of the government and shore up its IGR.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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