Benue SUBEB flags off monthly school grant, distributed mobility aids

…warns against illegal levies

The Benue State Government has flagged off the Benue School Grant Scheme and distributed mobility aids to Quality Assurance Officers across the 23 Local Government Areas at a ceremony held at the Headquarters of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

In her opening remarks, the Executive Chairman of the Board, Dr. Grace Adagba, described the School Grant Initiative as a bold and visionary intervention of the administration of the state governor, Rev. Fr. Chief Dr. Hyacinth Alia, aimed at addressing the realities of operational sustainability in schools. 

In a statement by the Special Assistant to Executive Chairman on Corporate Communications and Community Engagements Msughter J. Ataigbough, the SUBEB chairman disclosed that the state government had released ₦150 million under the scheme, with each Headmaster and Principal receiving ₦50,000 monthly for stationery, continuous assessments, first aid materials, utilities, and minor maintenance. 

Adagba said the initiative reinforces government’s commitment to free and compulsory education and warned that henceforth, any headmaster or principal found imposing illegal levies on pupils or parents would face sanctions.

ALSO READ: Insecurity: ‘Quit if you can’t protect Nigerians’, SDP’s Adebayo tells Tinubu

Flagging off the programme on behalf of the Governor, the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Barr. Dr. Sam Ode, MNI, described education as the greatest investment of government and noted that the initiative would strengthen school administration, improve learning conditions, and enhance monitoring in rural communities through the provision of motorcycles to Quality Assurance Officers. He added that the programme aligns with the World Bank-supported HOPE Education Grant and places Benue among leading states in education reforms.

In separate goodwill messages, the Honourable Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Dr. Margaret Adamu, and the UBEC State Coordinator, Mr. Idzi Baba Emmanuel, commended Governor Alia’s commitment to educational transformation and praised the synergy between the Ministry and SUBEB in driving impactful reforms.

The highlight of the event was the symbolic presentation of school grant cheques to RCM Primary School Ihugh, Vandeikya; UBE JSS Walomayo, Makurdi; and St. Francis Primary School, Otukpo, representing the three senatorial zones, while motorcycles were presented to Coordinating Education Secretaries on behalf of Quality Assurance Officers statewide.