By
Abdul-Kadir Abdullah
The Edo State Governor, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the payment of over ₦17 million owed to executive principals of senior secondary schools across the state as refunds for uniform expenses incurred during the previous administration.
The approval followed an appeal made by a committee of executive principals from selected government schools during a courtesy visit to the Senior Secondary Education Board (SSEB).
The committee, led by Mr. Onaifo Osemwengie, Executive Principal of Egor Senior Secondary School, explained that the debt originated from a uniform committee established under the directive of the former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Joan Oviawe, and coordinated by a former consultant to the ministry, Mrs. Chinelo Ezeobi.
According to the principals, after the committee was later dissolved, the sum of over ₦17 million remained unpaid.
Responding to their appeal, the Executive Chairman of the SSEB, Dr. Maureen Ekhoragbon, expressed gratitude to Governor Okpebholo for his prompt approval of the refund. She described the governor as “a leader committed to excellence, transparency, and accountability.”
Dr. Ekhoragbon also commended the principals for their patience and dedication to service despite the financial challenges.
The executive principals, in turn, thanked the chairman and the governor for their responsiveness and commitment to the welfare of school administrators and the advancement of education in Edo State.
