TheCable

Umo Eno, governor of Akwa Ibom state, has set up a N100 million education fund and appointed two students with disabilities (SWDs) as aides.

He made the announcement when he received the University of Uyo chapter of the national association of students with disabilities (NASWD), led by Emmanuel Wisdom, at government house.

Eno said he felt the need to enhance disability inclusion.

He instructed the office of the accountant-general, secretary to the state government (SSG), ministry of education and ministry of women affairs and social welfare, to monitor the disbursement of the funds.

“We will deposit one hundred million naira into that fund immediately to support all students with disabilities in the public tertiary institutions,” he said.

“That money is set aside for them. The ministry of women affairs and ministry of education will verify that the beneficiaries are in school and pay school fees directly to their schools, then give them a little allowance to keep them in school until graduation.

“It’s just a hundred million naira. From time to time, we may augment it. But, for now, we will put it there.

“All you need is an approval to open maybe a joint account and the money will be kept there as you profile and finish, the secretary to the state government (SSG) will authorise payment.

“I don’t want bureaucratic bottlenecks. Let’s verify and make sure these are the right people and encourage them.

“This idea 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 of us that say we are not disabled.”

Wisdom, one of the students, was appointed as personal assistant on student matters, while Ubong Imoh Ikpe was appointed personal assistant on SWDs.