The Oyo State Government has reopened 23 schools that have been under lock and key for the past 10 years over boundary crisis in Ibadan.
The schools were located in the Atiba, Afijio, Oyo East and Oyo West Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The schools were reopened following a meeting by Oyo state’s Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal with stakeholders to fashion out ways of resolving the age-long land dispute in February.
Lawal, who is also Chairman of the State Boundary Committee, charged the chairmen of the four LGAs to ensure security and peace in their domain.
The Deputy Governor, who led top Oyo government functionaries on an inspection tour of the schools on Wednesday, emphasised the value of education for students and said it is wrong that the schools had been closed for almost 12 years.
He noted that the current administration will not tolerate children’s inactivity, pointing out that the shutdown had greatly affected the growth and development of children in the community.
He asserts that without education, persons like Senator Sumonu Monsurah, commissioners, and those who stand to speak, as well as himself as the Deputy Governor, would not have been trusted with public office.
Barr. Lawal appealed to the community leaders to adhere to the State Government’s verdict on the schools, as well as urged them to be united and ensure that there’s adequate security for the schools.
He equally tasked the royal fathers to maintain adequate security for the children and teachers saying peace and security of the pupils in the special schools are crucial.
While calling on parents in the communities to start enrolling their children, the Deputy Governor reassured them that the Oyo State government will rebuild school buildings to provide a suitable learning environment.
He said: “With education, these children have the potential of becoming governor, deputy governor, senator, doctor, lawyer or anything in life.
“It is sad that the schools were closed down for closed to 12 years. We will do everything to ensure that the school environment is conducive for learning. I want to see in the next two weeks that the school field is in place for the pupils.
“We assure you that the current administration will take all reasonable steps, including providing computers for students to use for learning, even though we require the ministry of education to report any school representatives who disregard our instructions.
“In order to educate the students, we must give them life.” It is crucial for the students in special schools to be safe and secure.
“We need to appreciate His Excellency, the governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, in advancing the state’s educational system. And we also thank him for his support for the reopening of the 21 schools and the distribution of academic materials”.
Insisting that the inspection of the schools is not about border disputes, the Deputy Governor promised to do all it takes to ensure that the pupils succeed in life, even if it means incurring costs.
Later, he announced that senator Sumonu Monsurah has promised to sew a standard uniform for the pupils, as well as Hon. Poto to rebuild the structure of the Methodist Basic school in Ajagba.
Earlier, the commissioner for education, science and technology, Prof. Soliu Adelabu expressed his appreciation to Governor Makinde and his deputy, Barr. Lawal for their support toward the reopening of the school.
He emphasised that there are currently over 200 students enrolled in the schools and stated that the school might not have reopened without the support of the Oyo State government.
He said the governor has made provision for text books for the newly reopened schools, just as he disclosed that the schools would be under the direct supervision of the ministry of education.
Highlights of the event were symbolic presentation of exercise books to the schools.
The affected schools include Community Basic School Obananko, Oyo; Community Basic School Laagbe, Oyo; Pinnock Memorial Baptist School Aba Epo Oluwatedo, Oyo; and Baptist Basic School Oluwatedo, Oyo.
Also among the schools are: St. Luke Anglican Bada Idiyalode, Oyo; L.A. Basic School Ago Oyo; and Community Basic School Igbo Olose, Oyo in Oyo West LGA.
Others are Community Basic School Adebimpe, Oyo; Community Basic School Obasere, Oyo; St. Thomas Anglican School Alabi Olorunda, Oyo; St. Michael RCM Apaara Village, Oyo; and Methodist Primary School Ajagba, Oyo.
There are also: Baptist Central School Oniyanrin, Oyo; Baptist Primary School Aguo, Oyo; ADS Primary School Baba Elesin, Oyo in Oyo East LGA; L.A. School Lannite, Oyo; and L.A. Primary School Gudugbu Orile, Oyo.
The rest are: L.A. Primary School Gudugbu, Oyo; ADS Primary School Aba Olori, Oyo; ADS Primary Abujakan, Oyo; L.A. Basic School Alagbon, Oyo and L.A. Basic School Imeleke in Oyo, also in Oyo East LG.
The event had in attendance former Oyo Speaker, Senator Sumonu Monsurah; Comm. For Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ojo Ijaya; traditional and community leaders, and host of others.
