Spread the wordThe Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, has urged states to urgently access over ₦65 billion in counterpart funds and utilise approximately ₦267 billion in previously released intervention funds, stressing that education resources must translate into tangible improvements in schools and measurable outcomes for Nigerian children. Garba gave the charge in Asaba, Delta state, at the opening of the 30th quarterly meeting of UBEC management with executive chairmen of the State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), themed “Repositioning Basic Education in Nigeria to Optimise Investment and Impact.” According to her, the HOPE-EDU Operation presents an opportunity to strengthen the systems, institutions and capacity required to deliver sustainable improvements in basic education. He said the Delta state government had prioritised education under its MORE Agenda, consistently supported the Universal Basic Education programme and fulfilled its counterpart funding obligations. He said every classroom constructed, child educated and competent teacher supported contributes to national productivity, adding that basic education provides the foundation for literacy, numeracy, character, citizenship and innovation.