The Governor of Abia state, His Excellency, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu has launched a six-man committee.
The committee was launched on Wednesday, 12th February, 2020.
It would investigate the recruitment of teachers by the Secondary Education Management Board from 2018 to date.
Briefing the committee in Umuahia, Ikpeazu charged them to be committed in discharging their duty.
He noted that it would complement the efforts of the government in boosting the standard of education.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, Chief of Staff, Dr Anthony Agbazuere, said that the committee was formed as part of efforts to address the issue of unauthorised and fraudulent employment allegedly carried out by the governing board of SEMB.
Hence, he encouraged the committee to focus on things that would ensure their activities were guided by the terms of reference stipulated by the government.
He read out the terms as: “To determine all those purportedly employed by SEMB governing board from 2018 to date.
“To ascertain the number of people employed. Get copies of their appointment letters, qualifications, where they were posted to and their salary placement.
“To ensure that the names of people on the payroll are names of those reflected in the disarticulation exercise, between ASUBEB and SEMB. And set aside any discrepancies.
“To confirm that all postings from SEMB, including those of principals, are only to senior secondary schools.”
Ikpeazu directed the committee to carry out its duties without fear or favour. To evolve ideas that would improve secondary education administration in the state.
Hence, he gave the committee three weeks to complete its task. And hand in a well-detailed report of their activities.
He said his administration would continue to introduce policies and programs that would promote the education sector in the state.
The Chairperson of the committee, Dr Kate Ndukuba, responded by applauding the state government for trusting them to deliver.
Ndukuba said that the committee would do its best. And that they recognised the intentions of government to do things right.
He therefore stressed that if things worked well, everyone would definitely benefit from it.
The members of the committee were:
Chukwudi Iheaka; Ihuoma Ohajuru; Azubuike Anyatonwu; Ogbuehi Kingsley; Lynda Alarib; Valentine Igboanugo.