The Borno State government has announced a plan to pay parents to send their wards to school in order to encourage mass literacy.
Governor of the State, Kashim Shettima, said at an interactive session with elders and residents ofBama- GRA communities over the weekend to chart ways to bring succour to the devastated areas.
Shettima noted that it had become imperative to encourage children within the school age-grade to be educated, especially in the Northern part of the state which has witnessed great decline inenrolment of students.
The unprovoked attacks launched against schools in the state by members of the Boko Haram sect over the last one year has made more parents scared to allow their children and wards to attend classes for fear of losing them.
But the governor has said that the over 800 blocks of classrooms burnt down by Boko Haramterrorists in various schools across the state, will be renovated and that parents who send their children to schools will be continually paid.
He however, did not name the amount to be paid to such parents.
Shettima also announced plans to fence all communities in Maiduguri, the state capital to restrict movement, adding that the gates to each of the communities would be manned by vigilante youths who will be paid monthly stipend to safeguard their areas.
“I want to appealed to the people of this community and Borno in general, because there has been a decline in the mode of service to mankind by previous administrations which led to the neglect of providing dividends of democracy to the people, but I want to assure you that we will inculcate the culture of good governance and commitment to the socio-economic development of the state,” he said.
In his reaction, the chairman of Bama- GRA community, Ahmed Yusufari, commended the governor for his commitment to the dealing with the plights of the people of the area, adding that the community was ready to give unflinching support of the administration in developing the state and ensuring that peace is restored.