By Ewa Innocent, The Sight News
Abakaliki: Ebonyi state government has approved N500 million for another round of empowerment for women, widows, repentant cult members and other categories of persons in the state.
Also approved by the state government is N500 million, for the training of teachers, N15 million for the take off of ‘King David Gifted special school’, the school established to train best students harvested from various parts of the state.
These formed the major highlights in this week’s state Executive Council meeting held at EXCO Chambers, government house, Abakaliki.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting,the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barr. Uchenna Orji, flanked by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Onyebuchi Chima, said Ebonyi state government considers Human Capital Development very critical in the economic development of the state, and announced that another phase of empowerment will start the next month.
In his words,”Executive Council of today, deliberated on a number of issues, including empowerment of our women, widows, those who repented as cultists, and other categories of people.
“Council, resolved that in the coming month, November, all the necessary steps would have been taken to commence the empowerment of these women. Of course, N500 million was set aside so that all these people mentioned and captured are empowered.
“And I need also to mention to you that the ministry of Human Capital Development is doing a lot,but the Executive Council directed that they should gather a comprehensive template on how to empower all these categories of people to ensure that the objective of empowerment is achieved.
“Government considers Human capital Development critical in the economic development of our state,” he ended.
Barr. Orji, also announced that Council deliberated on a bill to further amend the Ebonyi state local government and Development Centres amendment Law, No.004 of 2015, and resolved that liaison officers shall be two from each of the 171 wards of the state, while at least one must be a woman, bringing the total to 342 Liaison officers in the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr Onyebuchi Chima,who announced that governor David Umahi has declared a state of emergency on education sector, said Council approved N500 million for the training of teachers in the state, while N15 million was also approved for the take off of ‘King David Gifted Special School’, slated for November next month.
“We are aware that His Excellency has declared a state of emergency on education in Ebonyi state. Today, N500 million has been approved for the training of teachers,first of its kind in Nigeria.
“Secondly, on the resolution of the council, N15 million was approved for ‘King David special Gifted School’, where the state intends to harvest the best students and train them up to university level.
“Government will provide all the things needed by the students like; clothing, books, sandals, and other materials”.
