ABIA STATE GOVT ORDERS IMMEDIATE CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS OPERATING IN UNAUTHORIZED PLACES

Reporter :LAWRENCE NWOKEDI

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State says his administration will continue to give top priority on issues affecting education in the state.

The Governor made this known in a message to a one day summit to address some educational issues and the menace of cult activities in primary and secondary schools.

Represented by his Deputy, Mr. Ude Okochukwu, Governor Ikpeazu noted that his administration would step up measures to ensure that all forms of social vices, especially cult activities and drug abuse were eradicated from schools in the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Kanaelechi Nwangwa, noted that government had mapped out various plans to improve the quality of education in the state.

He announced that government had ordered for the immediate closure of all private primary and secondary schools operating in residential buildings, warehouses, churches and village halls in the state.

The Coordinator Abia State Safe School Programme, Mr. Nkwachukwu Nwanganga, said that the programme was aimed at restructuring the foundation of the children with a view towards ensuring a crime free and peaceful society.

The Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abia State, Mr. Akingbade Bamidele, said that the agency would collaborate with the Ministry in fight against drug abuse and cult activities in schools.