IPOB: We must not jeopardise our children’s WASSCE, Abia Govt warns

The Abia State Government said that its attention has been drawn to the lingering sit-at-home order, which may threaten the possibility of writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) in Abia State.

This is contained in a statement by the State Commissioner for Information, John Okiyi Kalu, on Monday, the Government said the sit-at-home order was reportedly endorsed and illegally enforced by a “group of hoodlums hiding under the identity of agitators in the South-East region to cause chaos in the state.”

The Commissioner describes the sit-at-home order as a deliberate attempt by hoodlums and some unscrupulous elements to crumble the social-economic growth of the state. He describes the act as unacceptable, adding that the State Government would not allow any group or individual to instil fear in its people, to the extent of negatively impacting the results of school children who are billed to write WASSCE this month.

The statement reads in part, “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 jeopardised and the economic well-being of our people further wrecked over a matter we believe can be resolved judicially or through political negotiations.

“We, therefore, advise 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 and leaders of all markets and transport unions in the state are 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.”