Okorocha shuts out non-indigenes from free education programme

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State yesterday announced his plans to lock out non-indigenes from its free education programme in public schools.

The decision according to the state government was hinged upon the huge success it claimed led to the ballooning of student enrolment from 200,000 when it commenced in 2011 to the present 800,000.

The government also claimed that the programme had cost it more than N40 billion.

A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said the governor had pledged to deal with any traditional ruler who compromised the verification exercise to determine indigenes of the state who came.