The Federal Government released N150 million to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Akwa Ibom for the training of primary school teachers last year and would release N140 million for the same purpose this year.

This was disclosed today by the Minister of State for Education, Barr. Ezenwo Nyeson Wike, during the flag-off exercise for the distribution of educational materials schools in the South-South Region.
Wike regretted that apart from Katsina State that has accessed the funds for this year, Akwa Ibom is yet to do so, advising the SUBEB to access the funds from the designated commercial bank.

The minister noted that the Federal Government chose Akwa Ibom to flag off the distribution of the materials at the zonal level because of the role the state is playing in the improvement of educational sector.

According to him, the choice of Akwa Ibom is due to the numerous achievements of Akpabio administration in the education particularly the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.
He regretted that the exercise, which started in 2009, has not really reached the right source, saying it was done to complement the effort of the state government in the educational sector.

Responding, Governor Akpabio lauded the Federal Government for its passion in bringing a lot of things to bear n the governance unlike what was obtained in the past. He thanked the Minister oy Education for bringing the distribution exercise to the state.

Akpabio used the occasion to hint that Office of the Head of Civil Service in the state has always handled training of primary teachers, hoping that the money would be refunded to the state government.
He reiterated his administration’s readiness to partner the Federal Government in the education sector to guarantee a better future for the Nigerian children.

Photo Caption: Akwa Ibom's Governor Akpabio giving a souvenir to Barr. Wike, after a courtesy call in Government House, Uyo.