Governor Obi pledges N1b aid to returned schools

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state has pledged to disburse N1billion to the schools returned to their original church owners.

He made the promise at the second session of the 9th Synod of Awka Diocese holding at the Immanuel Anglican Church, Enugwu-Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area on Sunday.

He said the aid would be an addition to the fund already released to the churches and stressed the administration’s determination to reposition the schools to serve the needs of the people.Obi announced that a law was being put in place to ensure that the schools continued to receive government grants for the next 10 years.

“This is to make up for the gross neglect they suffered since government forcefully took them over after the civil war,’’ he said. The governor said that schools and hospitals should be run by the churches with government making budgetary allocations to them.He also pledged to support the hospital project of the Diocese at Oba-Ofemili and commended the church’s commitment to health and education.

Obi noted that although the world was going through financial crisis; the state had remained financially stable and responsive to its obligations.He attributed this to the stabilisation account and prudent measures initiated by his administration.He called for constructive criticism to encourage those in position of authority to remain alive in pursuing the collective welfare of all.The Bishop of Awka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Alexander Ibezim, assured the governor of the church’s prayers and support. The Chairman of Njikoka Local Government Area, Chief Dazza Udozor, said the partnership between the State Government and the church had reinvigorated the education sector.