By Nkechinyere Ewa-Okpara
The Ebonyi State Executive Council has approved the establishment of an Education Development Trust Fund to strengthen the basic education system in the state.
The Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Barr. Ikeuwa Omabah, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the council meeting held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, and presided over by Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
According to him, the decision followed a proposal from the Federal Ministry of Education requesting states to set up such funds to support basic education financing. He said an Executive Bill will be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for legislative action.
Omabah explained that when operational, the fund would provide a dedicated mechanism to mobilize public and private resources for priority investments in education. These include school infrastructure, water and sanitation facilities, ICT integration, teacher training, scholarships, school feeding and transport systems.
He added that the fund would attract contributions from government taxes, development partners, corporate organizations and well-meaning individuals, stressing that transparent governance and oversight would ensure its effective use.
“The Education Development Trust Fund will mark a transformative step in securing the future of every Ebonyi child by creating a more conducive learning environment,” the commissioner said.
He noted that the fund will be managed by a legally constituted board in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to determine priorities and oversee implementation.
The council also approved a special waiver for the absorption of 33 staff members of King David Gifted Academy into the State Secondary Education Board. The absorbed workers comprise 25 teaching staff and eight non-teaching staff, who were previously engaged and paid stipends by the school’s Parent-Teacher Association.
“These teachers have contributed immensely to sustaining academic excellence in the school, and the government felt it was proper to regularize their appointments,” Omabah stated.
Other matters considered at the exco meeting included reforms in the State Internal Revenue Service, project monitoring and evaluation, youth and sports development, internal security, and transportation.
On revenue matters, the council adopted the report of a committee investigating petitions against the leadership of the State Internal Revenue Service. The report recommended a restructuring of the service, forensic investigation of its automation system, strict monitoring, and transparent contract bidding processes.
In sports, the council directed that the proposed pool service building and swimming pool at the Ebonyi Olympic Sports Centre be advertised for competitive bidding through the State Council on Public Procurement.
The council also mandated all ministries, departments and agencies to notify the Ministry of Project Monitoring and Evaluation before embarking on any project, to ensure proper oversight.
On internal security, the council resolved to forward a bill to the House of Assembly to regulate the activities of scrap dealers in the state, citing their excesses and security implications.
In the transport sector, the council summoned the General Manager of EBOTRANS, Nnenna Igwe, and the immediate past acting General Manager, Simon Idenyi, to present a comprehensive account of the corporation’s operations at its next meeting.