Akwa Ibom State Government has pegged the maximum age for admission into public secondary schools at 12 years as part of efforts aimed at curbing the cultism surge in the schools.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Ini Ememobong, in a statement, said the decision which was reached at the State Executive Council meeting held at the CouncilChambers on Thursday, followedan investigation that the surge of cult activities in public Secondary Schools was caused by over-aged students.

Ememobongdisclosed that the Council declared August 21, 2021, as the state coconut day, for the planting of 300,000 nuts to boost coconut production.

According to Ememobong, the state governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel,in his opening remarks called for continued prayer for the country as the economic situation in the country was of great concern and also calledfor both individual and collective responsibility in efforts at nation-building.

Ememobong stressed, “He promised that more industries will berth soonest, as talks are still ongoing with different investors.He charged members to pay attention to and mobilize people to participate in the Enumeration Area Demarcation and Continuous Voter Registration.

” The Governor informed that the Ikot Oku Ikono flyover will be commissioned on July 16, 2021. Council reviewed the AKSU expulsion case of Iniobong Ekpo and directed the University to immediately recall the said student.

“Council declared August 21, 2021, as the state coconut day, when 300,000 nuts will be planted to boost coconut production in preparation for the start of operation of the coconut oil refinery. The half-year ministerial reports from all Ministries and Bureau were received. Since education is free in the state, the maximum age for admission into secondary schools has been pegged at 12 years, to curb the cultism surge in secondary schools.

“Investigation has revealed that the surge is caused mainly by over-aged students who are on a mission of mass recruitment of students into cult groups. However, any student above this age with a genuine reason, will have their parents sign an undertaking of good behaviour, before their admission,” he said.

(Vanguard)