By Chris Ochayi
ABUJA — To ensure the success of the forthcoming voters’ registration exercise, the Federal Government has announced the shifting of resumption date for all public and private primary and secondary schools in the country to February 4, 2011.

Minister of State for Education, Mr Kenneth Gbagi who disclosed this while speaking with journalists  in Abuja, said only SS III students who are preparing for their final examination are exempted.

He said the new development was prompted by a letter written by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to the ministry, requesting for shifting of resumption date for schools for the second term to enable them use their premises as centres for the nationwide registration exercise.

Gbagi while describing the voters’ registration as the most sensitive period in a democratic process, said no price was too much in the nation’s quest to conduct credible, transparent, free and fair elections.

He added that the yearning of every Nigerians, adult, youth and children is for the nation to elect credible leaders during the elections and this is the most crucial stage of the elections.

“It is a national call for the growth and development of the country and I am sure the compliance will be total,“ he said.