Akwa Ibom State government has instituted a N100 million Education Intervention Fund to assist physically-challenged students of Akwa Ibom origin and other challenged students in the state.

Governor Umo Eno announced this when the National Association of Students with Disabilities, University of Uyo chapter, visited him at the Government House.

Eno said he was moved to give the students a sense of belonging to underscore the inclusion drive of his administration.

Office of the Accountant-General, Secretary to the State Government, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare will supervise disbursement.

The fees are paid directly to the beneficiaries’ schools and allowances given to the students after due profiling, the governor explained.

Governor Out also warned against bureaucratic bottlenecks in the disbursement, explaining that the gesture is to encourage the beneficiaries and make life easier for them.

He added: “We have set up a fund for the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Women Affairs to manage, the Accountant-General would look at it and the SSG would facilitate it.

“We will deposit N100 million into that fund immediately to support physically-challenged students in public tertiary institutions. The money is set aside for them, but the Ministry of Women Affairs and Ministry of Education will verify that the beneficiaries are in school and pay the fees directly to their schools, then give a little upkeep allowance.

“It’s just N100 million, but we may augment it from time to time. 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.

“The motive 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 who are not challenged.

“All of us are challenged in one way or the other. I just want to say you are not alone, we will work with you and support you.”

The student delegation was led by the President, Comrade Emmanuel Wisdom. (Channels TV)

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