Oyo State government has ordered the reopening of 23 schools in Atiba, Afijio, Oyo East and Oyo West local government areas of the state.
Oyo State Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal on Thursday, announced the opening of the schools after a stakeholders meeting in Ibadan.
The meeting centred on the boundary disputes which led to the closure of the 23 schools for more than ten years.
The Deputy Governor who doubles as the Chairman of the State Boundary Committee, charged the chairmen of Atiba, Afijio, Oyo East and Oyo West local governments to ensure security and peace in their areas.
He warned that they will be held responsible for any breach of security.
Lawal stated that the schools will be under supervision of the Ministry of Education until further notice.
He added that the Ministry will do whatever is required to put the children back to school.
The Deputy Governor appealed to members of Oyo state House of Assembly, representing the affected constituencies to work with community leaders, to ensure that children go back to school.
Lawal appreciated the President, Oyo Global Forum, a non-partisan group of professionals from the four LGAs that constitute the Oyo Federal Constituency.
He said their interest in the progress of the affected schools are commendable.
Lawal who assured the stakeholders that the office of the Surveyor general will wade into the boundary disputes by carrying out proper demarcation of their boundaries.
He appealed to the community leaders to abide by the verdict if the Oyo State Government on the schools.
“I appeal to you our elders and chairmen of the affected local governments to consider the future of these children.
“The primary reason this meeting is held is for the schools that were closed for 10 years to reopen immediately.
“That is the message from the governor himself.
“We have engaged all the stakeholders, community leaders, Honourable members, the chairmen of the various local governments, and we have agreed that schools must reopen in the interest of those children,” he said.
The affected schools include Community Basic School Obananko, Oyo; Community Basic School Laagbe, Oyo; Pinnock Memorial Bapt School Aba Epo Oluwatedo, Oyo; Bapt Basic School Oluwatedo, Oyo; St. Luke Anglican Bada Idiyalode, Oyo; L.A. Basic School Ago Oyo; Community Basic School Igbo Olose, Oyo in Oyo West LG.
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; Methodist Primary School Ajagba, Oyo; Bapt Central School Oniyanrin, Oyo; Bapt Primary School Aguo, Oyo; ADS Primary School Baba Elesin, Oyo in Oyo East LG.
Also affected are L.A. School Lannite, Oyo; L.A. Primary School Gudugbu Orile, Oyo; 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, Oyo also in Oyo East LG.
The meeting was attended by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu; the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran; Chairmen of the four local governments; traditional leaders, among other stakeholders.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
