Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom, says his administration, pays N600 million monthly as fees for the West African Examination Council (WAEC) candidates.
Speaking on his exploits in the educational sector since he took power in 2015, Emmanuel it would benefit the country if the educational system produces well-educated people that will take charge of governance and inspire patriotism.
“We run free and compulsory education. People come from neighbouring states to attend our public schools,” he said.
“If we train our children and leave the children of our neighbours alone, they will later come to harm our children. We pay N600 million yearly as WAEC fees. We also focus on the recruitment of quality teachers.
“We will continue to have free and compulsory education at primary and secondary levels. We will also have education monitors to enhance quality of teaching and learning.
“Apart from the special attention placed on education, the government is also making efforts to train the youth in Akwa Ibom to acquire a variety of skills. There is an arrangement to train indigenes to acquire skills needed to work in the industries. A scheme was birthed to this effect called the Akwa Ibom Enterprise Employment scheme (AKEES). Under this scheme, more than 20,000 youths have been trained in the last three years.
“These Employment and Skill Acquisition Centres have been established to promote the spirit of enterprise among the youth and general populace of Akwa Ibom. No fewer than 317,000 people engaged in small and medium enterprises are captured; over 3,000 were trained on ICT and many are employed in the agricultural sector for planting and nurturing of vegetables, tomatoes and other crops in commercial quantities. An idle man they say is the devil’s workshop.”
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