Olu Samuel, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has declared free tuitions from primary up to secondary schools.
The governor dropped the hint on Thursday while flagging off the distribution of the Federal Government’s palliatives in the state.
He said his administration had declared free education from primary to secondary school in the state and would cover examination fees for WAEC, NECO, and JAMB for all indigenes of Kogi State.
Governor Bello, who commended the Federal Government’s efforts at mitigating the impact of fuel subsidy removal on citizens, said the palliatives, which were valued well in excess of N2bn, would reach intended beneficiaries regardless of political, religious, or ethnic affiliations.
He extended his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the well-conceived idea, saying,
“You are aware that all the local government areas of the state have already commenced the distribution of rice and other essential items. Therefore, this launch is essentially an extension of our ongoing efforts to cushion the impact of the current policy on our citizens.
“We are not only distributing rice but also making cash available to reach the people. The total value of what we are launching for distribution today exceeds N2 billion, and it is intended to reach every household in Kogi State. We have decentralised the distribution to ensure that every household benefits.”
“Everyone is expected to benefit from this initiative, regardless of their political, religious, or ethnic affiliations, including security personnel,” the governor stated.
Governor Bello emphasised that those responsible for the distribution must not discriminate, warning that any report of bias or favoritism/hoarding would be dealt with accordingly.
He also called on security agencies to ensure a peaceful and smooth distribution process.
Additionally, he assured the people that more initiatives to alleviate hardship were in place.
Governor Bello commended the people of the state for their support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the New Direction administration in Kogi State.
He reaffirmed the commitment of government at all levels to prioritising the welfare of the citizens.
Furthermore, Governor Bello mentioned the various infrastructure developments taking place across the state and expressed confidence that the governorship candidate of the APC, Usman Ododo, when elected as his successor, would continue to build on the current achievements.
The Governor was accompanied by his deputy, Chief Edward Onoja, and other top government officials.