A 17-year-old student of Adventist Technical Secondary School, Ohafia, Abia State Nicholas Ogunji played his role as one-day governor of the state by, among other things, freeing some inmates at Afaraukwu Correctional Centre, Igbere TV reports.

Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu tweeted on Friday evening that Mr Ogunji was the third one-day governor in his five-year-old administration.

“We currently have 17 years old Master Nicholas Ogunji of Adventist Technical Secondary School, Ohafia, as our One-Day-Governor. He is the 3rd One-Day-Governor under my administration. Part of his first official outing was a visit to the Afaraukwu Correctional Centre where he helped free some inmates after paying off their fines,” he wrote.

Mr Ikpeazu further explained the rationale behind the policy.

He wrote: “The One-Day-Governor policy of my Government is a way of introducing our youths to leadership early, prepare them for the challenges & prospects of democratic governance, & also serve as inspiration to others.”

In Lagos, a 16-year-old student of Angus Memorial Senior High School Jemimah Marcus will become a one-day governor after winning the state’s Spelling Bee competition.