40 billion naira on its free tertiary education policy
since inception four years ago.
The State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, made the
disclosure at the Heroes Square in Owerri, the Imo
State capital.
He was speaking during the ongoing revalidation
and verification exercise organised for Imo
indigenes who are beneficiaries of the free
education programme in all state-owned tertiary
institutions in the state.
Addressing the students, Governor Okorocha who
was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Uche
Nwosu, noted that the state government has
decided to concentrate on Imo indigenes and drop
non-indigenes from the programme.
He explained that the state government has spent
about 40 billion naira to sustain the policy, adding
that it would have to drop non-indigenes from the
scheme as Imo indigenes in other state-owned
schools across Nigeria do not enjoy such benefit.
The governor, however, assured the students of the
government's commitment to sustaining the
programme beyond the life of the present
administration.