Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, hosting the the National Association of Students with Disabilities, University of Uyo chapter, led by the President, Comrade Emmanuel Wisdom, on courtesy visit at Government House, Uyo, announced the setting up of N100 million intervention fund to assist the physically challenged students in tertiary institutions in the state. Governor Eno, interacting with the visiting students, expressed his “passion to give the student body a sense of belonging to underscore the political inclusion drive of his administration”.
The governor directed the Office of Accountant General of the state, Secretary to the State Government, Ministry of Education, including the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare that in supervising the disbursement of the fund, they must ensure that school fees are paid directly to the schools of the beneficiaries and allowances given to the students after due profiling.
Pastor Eno cautioned against bureaucratic bottle necks in the disbursement of the fund, insisting that the gesture is to encourage the beneficiary students and make life easier for them. The Governor was of the view that most physically challenged persons are more focused than those with no disability.
Governor Eno approved cash donation to one of the disabled Students, Udeme Emmanuel, in addition to a monthly stipend to aid his participation in the Law School. He assured him of automatic employment in the Ministry of Justice on his completion of the course.
Governor Eno also appointed two of the students, Emmanuel Wisdom and Ubong Imoh Ikpe, as Personal Assistant on Student Matters and Personal Assistant on Students with Disability respectively.
The Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; the Permanent Secretary of the Government House, Mr Godwin Udoh; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Lady Rose Bassey, and Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Margret Edem, joined the Governor in receiving the students.