By Ayodele Oni
Reprieve has come for students of secondary and tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State as government said it will pay registration fees for the 2024 National Examinations Council (NECO) for all final year students in public schools.
Governor Abdullahi Sule disclosed this while inaugurating four newly appointed permanent secretaries, as well as the executive chairman and members of the Nasarawa State Disabilities Rights Commission, on Monday.
This is just as Governor Sule said his administration will embark on the distribution of food items as palliative to all the indigenous students of tertiary institutions.
The Governor emphasized that his administration decided to offset the registration fees for final year students writing NECO, as well as distribute items as relief to students of tertiary institutions, as parts of efforts to cushion the hardships being experienced across the country.
He reiterated that President Bola Tinubu is fully aware of the hardships being experienced by Nigerians and that the president is working hard through the governors and other agencies, to cushion the effects of the hardships.
“Nasarawa State has just concluded the distribution of food items throughout the state in order to bring relief to the people.
“This week, we are going to all our tertiary institutions in order to distribute items to the students. Government has also taken a decision that all our secondary school students we are going to pay their NECO this year. There are some who have already paid.”
Governor Sule explained that all the final year secondary students who have already paid their NECO registration fees would be refunded their money.
He added that his administration is working hard to bring industrialization to the state, as well as agricultural activities, in order to engage the people in meaningful ventures.
The Governor pointed out that his administration is on the verge of acquiring 10, 000 hectares of land for the production of rice and maize.
“Nasarawa State is currently working on the acquisition of 10, 000 hectares of land in order for us to be able to produce some crops such as rice or maize, but more importantly to engage our people so that we can provide for the people and cushion the effects of the hardships.
“Palliative is what we need now. But what we need permanently is something to do.”
Governor Sule charged the new appointees, especially the new permanent secretaries, to shun corruption by imbibing the culture and principles of transparency, accountability, and probity, in line with the posture of his administration.
“At this moment, let me specifically show great appreciation to my mentor, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, for initiating this and for the good work that he did in order to ensure that today becomes a reality.”
He further urged them to endeavor to ensure budgetary discipline and prudence in the management of public resources.
Governor Sule pointed out that the inauguration of the executive chairman and members of the state’s disabilities rights commission, was in line with the resolve of his administration to give every citizen of the state a sense of belonging.
He said the coming onboard of the Nasarawa State Disabilities Rights Commission was also in line with the National Disabilities Act 2018, which encourages the promotion, protection, and priotization of the rights of the people with disability, as well as enhance their productivity through education, health, and other socio-economic activities.
