The Abia State Government has inaugurated an 11-Man Education Taskforce Committee to enforce compliance to the state compulsory education policy.
Speaking while Inaugurating the members in his office, the state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi said that the taskforce tagged “Compulsory Education Crusaders Team,” is expected to engage communities, traders and other relevant bodies on the streets to identify and encourage out-of-school children to return back to school in line with the mandate of the Governor Dr Alex Otti’s Free education initiative.
The Commissioner disclosed that the taskforce will begin its operations in Umuahia on Monday next week, while other areas, such as Aba and Ohafia, will follow suit and urged them to operate within the stipulated terms of reference given to them.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor, Dr Otti for declaring a state of emergency in the education sector and allocating a whooping sum of 20% State budgetary allocation to education sector in the state.
Responding on behalf of other Committee Members, the Chairman of the taskforce who is also the Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic and Secondary Education, Sir Kenechukwu Nwosu, expressed gratitude to the Governor for the opportunity to serve, and assured the Commissioner that the team would carry out its responsibilities with utmost seriousness.
Other members are, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs. Uchechukwu Kalu who will serve as Secretary of the Committee, Board Chairman ASUBEB, Mrs. Lydia Onuoha, Director in Charge of Secondary Education Management Board, Mrs. Ngozi Onwubiko, Representative, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Irene Akpara and representative of Ministry of Information, Rev. Ken Anyikwa
The rest are Mr. Okpechi Ifeanyi, Mr. Daniel Onuoha, Mr. Nnadozie Eze, Mrs. Treasure George and Mrs. Onyinyechi Okengwu.
