Amid the rising cost of living, the Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has appealed to leaders of churches who operate schools in the state to reduce their fees to give every child equal opportunity.
Soludo appealed on Saturday at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, during a prayer event organised by the Anglican Communion to pray for peace and progress of the state.
The Governor had recently declared tuition-free education for all children in the state who attend government school, from nursery through junior secondary.
The Governor, while speaking at the event, said: “There is work to be done, and while we are yet on earth, we will continue to do our part.
“But I want to appeal to our bishops, leaders of our churches, I want to appeal to you. The church must also play its part too because I know that the church has a role to play too.
“We have declared free education in all schools owned by government. We also want to beg churches that operate schools to reduce their fees. So that the woman who sells pepper in the market, the woman who hawks groundnut, will be able to pay fees for her children in your school, too.
“I’m also appealing about the levies that the church demands from its members. We know that you have projects, but projects can never end today or tomorrow, so we can use part of these monies to augment the fees for the poor.”