FG bemoans states’ inability to access over N30b UBEC counterpart funds

The Federal Government has described as regrettable the inability of some states of the federation to access counterpart funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for developing primary education.

Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, stated this yesterday, at the 65th National Council on Education meeting in Jalingo, Taraba State.

He said over N30 billion in UBEC’s custody is still unutilised due to the inability of states to provide their 50 per cent counterpart funds.
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Speaking through Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Adamu said the affected states need to reprioritise basic education, describing it as the bedrock for further and continuing education and too strategic to be ignored.

Emphasising the need for cooperation from the states, Adamu said the task of developing education at all levels, securing children, and ensuring basic sanitation in schools requires all hands on deck.

Also speaking at the occasion, in a goodwill message, former Deputy Governor of Plateau State and current Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen, called for greater stakeholder cooperation in the efforts to eradicate the out-of-school children phenomenon, stressing that no child should be left behind.

President, Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Evangelist Ajibade Augustine, said members of the Association are determined to take more children off the streets.
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