Abia State government says it will not sit and watch the future of innocent students billed to write their West Africa Senior School Certificate Exam diminished by the sit-at-home being enforced by unknown groups in the state.
The state government said it was unacceptable to allow any individual or group to instil fear in the people to the extent of negatively impacting the education of innocent school children and on the rights of other law abiding citizens.
John Okiyi Kalu, the state’s commissioner for information said: “While we do not begrudge any citizen the right to sit at home or go about their normal duties, as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others, we cannot afford to sit idly and watch the future of our children jeopardized and the economic well-being of our people further wrecked over a matter we believe can be resolved judicially or through political negotiations.”
“We cannot continue to cut our nose to spite our face!”
“In the light of the above, government wishes to advice parents to ensure that their children go to the examination centres for their papers while teachers and examination supervisors are to ensure the protection of the children before, during and after the examinations.”
“Other citizens are also encouraged to go about their normal duties without fear of molestation as necessary measures have been put in place to protect them.”
“Our people are also hereby advised to promptly report any individual or group that attempts to harass, molest, intimidate or stop law abiding citizens, especially our school children, from exercising their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of movement to the police through the following numbers: 08035415405,
08079210003, 0807921000 and
08079210005.”
“The leaders of all market and transport unions in the state are hereby advised to ensure that markets are open and transport vehicles deployed by their members for regular activities on Monday and beyond unless otherwise advised by Government. Any market that is closed or transport union that fails to operate will be closed and disbanded, respectively, by government till further notice.”
“We hereby implore leaders at all levels, members of the clergy, and, indeed, all parents, to support and pray for the resounding success of our school children who have maintained first position in WASCE, back to back, for four years as they go to their various centres to write their exams.”
“As a responsible government, we will continue to explore all avenues to ensure peaceful resolution of the issues that have led to the agitations by the concerned non state actors but we will not shirk our responsibility to the majority of our people who are also suffering silently out of no fault of theirs.”
“All security agencies in the state are hereby directed to fully deploy at all flash points on Monday and going forward as well as maintain regular patrols to ensure the safety and protection of law abiding citizens and visitors from any form of molestation.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, let it be stated once again that we are committed to protecting all citizens and residents of the state including ensuring respect for their fundamental rights. We also recognize the fact that some may wish to voluntarily sit at home for any number of reasons, but those wishing to go out must also be able to do so without fear of molestation by anyone.”
“Our people are wise and historically known to exercise wisdom in handling issues no matter the provocation. It is unthinkable that any Igbo man will want to cut his nose to spite his face especially in these circumstances that may adversely affect the future of our innocent children and we must all rise collectively to do the needful: protect our children’s education and ensure that those who may wish us evil as a people do not succeed in provoking us to destroy our means of livelihood at a time we are yet to recover from the economic challenges occasioned by the COVID-19 and EndSARS protests that necessitated the prolonged shut down of businesses only recently.”
