Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha has advised the governor-elect Emeka Ihedioha to do all humanly possible to sustain his free education programme in the state.
Okorocha who made the plea at the Sam Mbakwe exco chambers government House Owerri said that the establishment of more universities, polytechnics and colleges of education by his administration was informed by the need to provide opportunities for the teeming youths of the state origin seeking admissions into institutions of Higher learning.
Reflecting what he inherited in 2011 and the total number of higher institutions therein, the governor noted that education being the major industry in the state had occupied the centre of his rescue mission government.
“Despite the growing demand for university education in Imo by our children which stood at over 270,000 in population the majority of who were unable to pay school fees before I came in, I courageously took the bull by the horns to ensure that our children go to school by establishing more universities, polytechnics and colleges of education that are tuition free”.
This he said had reduced crime in the state while promoting literacy among the youth.
Apart from establishing more institutions of higher learning through Public Private Partnership(PPP) the governor said that provision of infrastructure and basic amenities of life had continued to receive impetus by his administration, adding that he had made solid arrangement for the sustenance of free education in the state after his tenure.
He commended the state House of Assembly for coming up with enabling laws for the establishment of these higher institutions of learning which included Imo State university of Agriculture and Environment sciences, Ahiara Polytechnic at Mbaise, Ehime Polytechnics and Bishop Shanahan Polytechnic at Ehime and Orlu respectively adding that the Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo had been elevated to university of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
