On Sunday, the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowo said the state government is set to provide financial aids to schools returned to religious missions in 2011.
The Governor said the move became necessary so as to assist the schools in running effectively, particularly in the prevailing harsh economic situation in the country.
Okowo made this known at the thanksgiving service to mark the end of the 16th Synod of Asaba Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) held at the Catheral Church of St. Peter, Bishop’s Court, Asaba.
The governor, who was accompanied by his wife, Edith and top government functionaries, recalled that the state government returned 40 schools to the missions in 2011, and acknowledged that “it is not easy for such schools to be run given the current economic condition of the nation.”
He commended the church for drawing his attention to the plight of the schools, especially his promise to ensure that grants were given to missions to assist them in giving a firm standing to the schools that had been returned to them.
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“I have just asked the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to take action on that; the monies may not be too big but it is important that we identify with the churches because we know that it is not easy for them even as it is not easy for the state that run schools.
“But for those schools returned to the missions, it is in the best interest of the government of Delta State that they are supported to stand because they provide a space for study for some of our children across the state.
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“So, we will try to take action at least in the first tranche of it, to see what we can do to support our missions,” he said.
He added that the government had also made attempt to subsidized health packages for pregnant women and children.
In his words; “The state government pays for all pregnant women and children under five years of age but for others, there is a premium which is much less than what is paid at the national level,” he stated.