The Governor of Akwa Ibom State has appointed a student with physical disabilities as his personal aide.
This decision was made alongside the establishment of a 100 million naira education intervention fund to support physically challenged students from Akwa Ibom and other disabled students studying in public tertiary institutions across the state.
Governor Umo Eno announced this appointment during a meeting with the University of Uyo chapter of the National Association of Students with Disabilities.
The governor expressed his desire to promote political inclusion by giving the student body a sense of belonging.
To ensure the effective disbursement of the fund, Governor Eno instructed the Office of the Accountant General, Secretary to the State Government, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare to oversee the process.
He emphasized the importance of avoiding bureaucratic delays and ensuring that school fees are paid directly to the beneficiaries’ schools, with additional allowances provided based on proper profiling.
Governor Eno explained that “the purpose of the fund is to encourage and support disabled students, noting that some individuals with physical disabilities exhibit greater focus and determination than those without disabilities.”
He entrusted the Ministry of Women Affairs and the Ministry of Education with the responsibility of verifying the beneficiaries’ eligibility and managing the fund.
The governor committed to depositing 100 million naira into the fund immediately, with the possibility of augmenting it in the future.
The governor also announced a personal cash donation to Mr. Udeme Emmanuel, a disabled student, and promised to provide him with a monthly stipend to assist him during his studies at the Law School. Furthermore, Governor Eno guaranteed Mr. Emmanuel automatic employment in the Ministry of Justice upon completion of his course.
In addition to these appointments and financial commitments, two students, Emmanuel Wisdom and Ubong Imoh Ikpe, were appointed as Personal Assistants on Student Matters and Students with Disability, respectively.
They expressed gratitude to the governor for his commitment to political inclusion and promised to fulfill their duties diligently.
The governor’s meeting with the disabled students was attended by various government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, the Permanent Secretary of the Government House, Mr. Godwin Udoh, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Lady Rose Bassey, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Margaret Edem.
