Adamawa suspends schools board boss over irregularities

The Adamawa State Government has suspended the Executive Secretary of the Post Primary Schools Management Board, PPSMB, Birsan Penuel, over alleged irregularities in the performance of his official duties.

The suspension was announced on Sunday in Yola by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Humwashi Wonosikou.

According to Wonosikou, the decision was taken to pave the way for a thorough investigation into the allegations against the suspended official.

Pending the outcome of the investigation, the government has directed the most senior director in the board to assume responsibility for its operations.

The acting head is expected to ensure that the board’s activities continue without disruption while the investigation is ongoing.

Wonosikou said the suspension was consistent with the administration’s efforts to strengthen accountability and improve the state’s education sector.

“This administration remains committed to sanitising and repositioning the education sector for improved service delivery,” he said.

He added that the government had implemented several measures over the past seven years to address longstanding challenges in the sector.

According to him, these include the recruitment of qualified teachers, rehabilitation and construction of classrooms, provision of instructional materials, as well as regular payment of salaries and allowances.

Wonosikou said the interventions had contributed to reversing “the negative trends that once bedevilled the sector.”