Linda Nneji, Dallas Texas, USA

The past leadership of our dear State Imo was, no doubt, one laced with lies and deceit whereby what was sold to the people and the World in general were either outright lies or half-truths. These lies and/or half-truths were laced in almost all the activities of the then Government as well as all the policies that they came-up with. Most often than not, we saw a complete white washing of Government activities and a terrible illusion that all was well with our State. We had a leadership which talks before thinking and this very unfortunate habit most often than not led to the quagmire of whether to fulfill that which was promised out of flippancy or to do that which is right and realizable. Sadly, in most cases, the Government indulged in outright deceit instead of reversals of that which is not actually realizable. The resultant effect of this is the gross institutional and infrastructural decay witnessed in the State today.

One of such widely advertised policies is the alleged “free Education” policy of the past administration. While the word “free” in one of its definitions means “without cost or payment”, the said ‘free education’ in Imo State was such that payments were being collected from pupils and students alike. These payments were collected in the guise of registration, acceptance fees, clearance fees etc, most of which ran into hundreds of thousands in the case of Tertiary Institutions. Some even suggested that the name “free tuition” would have been appropriate but how can there be a claim of “free tuition” even when fees sometimes outrageous were severally collected from the beneficiaries of the said “free Education”. Apart from this, certain percentage of the salaries of Civil Servants were constantly deducted to support the said “free Education” policy hence, “robbing Peter to Paul”. In the State tertiary Institutions also, we witnessed a situation whereby majority of the admissions were given to those from outside the State thereby short-changing the Education-loving Citizens of our dear State simply because those non-indigenes are paying tuitions.

It is also pertinent to note that, when these wrongs became public knowledge, the head of various State Tertiary Institutions were replaced with those who can connive with the Government to cover-up the lies and deceits of the Government. We also witnessed a situation whereby less qualified people were used to flood the teaching Profession in the State especially the Secondary and Primary schools under the guise of “youth-must-work”; all in the bid to cut cost. However, these terrible lies and deceits began to manifest in the poor outing of our States in external examinations, rampant loss of accreditations, slashing of worker’s salaries and the flourishing of private Institutions in the State. At the tertiary level, most Imo indigenes sought admissions in Federal Institutions and State Institutions outside our dear State. The later no doubt led to very serious capital flight. Also, if not for the intervention of the Federal Government through TETFUND, UBEC, etc and the palliative assistance of some Federal Representatives in the State, the infrastructural decay in the Education sector would have been massive.

Today, we have a new Government in our dear State and the question of the said “free Education” to be or not to be has arisen. For the truthful, there was no free Education and it is time for us to come out clean and truly define what we currently have in the State in terms of Education. For the illusioned, there is ‘free education’ and that should be allowed to stay. Also, for the compromised, any attempt to either properly define what we presently have in the State as free Education and to take appropriate measures towards revitalizing the Education sector, is an opportunity to blackmail and cast aspersions on the present Government. Whatever be the case, the truth remains that our people got tired of where we were. We yearned for transparency and truthfulness in the handling of our affairs and that was why we collectively made a strong statement. We did not want our State to be an object of ridicule anymore just as we want our State to take her pride place in the comity of States.

In line with this, if a review of the said “free Education” proves that it is not in the best interest of our growth and progress as a State, the present administration should be supported to scrap it towards inventing measures that would ensure the revival of the Education sector. Yes, our first point of call at liberation and resurrection is telling ourselves the truth. The Education policy of the present Government which is no doubt a clear roadmap towards a better and qualitative Education in the State are such that need revenues to be achieved and the Government needs our collective support in this regard. Being active participants in the rebuilding of our dear State means living up to our own responsibilities towards helping the Government succeed in building a brighter future for our Children and laying a strong foundation for generations to come. We must make those sacrifices needed for a greater and better State.
Be that as it may, the Government of the day being a sensitive and pro-people Government is expected to take cognizance of the realities facing us as a Nation today as well as its attendant consequences in the life of an average Nigerian. Hence, whatever reversals there may be, the alternatives should be such that the average Citizen can afford and cope with. In line with this, the Government should also come-up with a reputable scholarship board whereby her exceptional Students would have a shot at free Education courtesy of the State. Individuals and organizations can also come in in this regard towards making sure that bright talents in and around their neighbourhood have a shot at free Education thereby helping the Government to achieve her commendable goals for the Education sector in our dear State
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Indeed, a greater Imo is possible if we support and do the right things for the good of her State and her people. May God bless our dear State and her present Leadership.

Free ko, education ni. Government of 419