Oyo State Government has appealed to the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to allow students to return to schools and discontinue the disruption of the academic calendar any further.

The state’s Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, appealed in a statement issued after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting.

The state government said it had taken strategic steps to ensure that the issue of kidnapping at Oriire Local Council is ended soon.

However, during the session, the SEC approved the release of N8.7 billion in the first instance, for the procurement of teaching and learning materials for primary and junior secondary schools across the state. The total cost of the project is N23.012 billion.

According to the commissioner, upon the successful procurement and distribution of the approved textbooks, Oyo State will become eligible for a reward-based disbursement of $2 per student per subject in line with the project’s results-based financing arrangement.

The Council also approved the realignment and supplementary budget for the year 2026.
MEANWHILE, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State chapter, has directed churches across the state to strengthen security measures, suspend late-night activities, and ensure their premises are fenced and gated amid rising cases of kidnapping and abduction.

The directive was contained in a communiqué issued after a meeting of the association and jointly signed by the Oyo State CAN Chairman, Rev. Elisha Ogundiya, and Secretary, Very Rev. Samuel Owolabi.

In the communiqué, which was made available to journalists in Ibadan yesterday, CAN expressed concern over the growing insecurity in the state and advised churches to adopt proactive security measures to safeguard worshippers and church property.

According to the association, churches should strategically deploy security personnel and install electronic surveillance devices within their premises and surrounding areas.

The CAN, which also urged churches to intensify prayers for the safe release of abductees and suspend late physical activities in view of the prevailing security challenges, implored churches without perimeter fencing and gates to prioritise such projects.

It directed church leaders to engage trained security personnel, especially during worship services.

The association, however, called for security assessment of guards and other workers engaged in essential services within church premises and warned against allowing strangers to sleep in church auditoriums or compounds.

It, therefore, urged residents to limit unnecessary travel and avoid late-night journeys.