Why Ekiti government is returning schools to missions, by Fayemi

Promises to translate Amotekun law, others into Yoruba Language
Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday said that his administration decided to return schools to missions and original owners to checkmate the activities of those he described as profiteers and undisciplined elements in the system.

The governor said that it was part of efforts to restore the lost moral values to secondary school cadre and rid the schools of decadents.

Fayemi spoke in Ado-Ekiti at a home-coming/reunion press conference held by 1975-80 set of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti, marking the 40th anniversary of leaving the secondary school.

The governor, who doubles as the President of the set, applauded the alumni groups across the state for partnering with the government to raise the standard of education through provision of facilities and funding.

Fayemi said: “Our education was not at the level we are during our time, but I also don’t think we should despair because of the high level of dialogue and partnership among stakeholders the state government is midwifing.

“We have no reason not to achieve qualitative education. During our time, we didn’t enjoy free education until 1979, but we paid affordable school fee. We paid N20 per term.

“Education is a right and not a privilege and that was why I introduced free education and we are returning some schools to missions and original owners, who are not also profiteers. They will charge fees, but they will charge reasonably. We are returning schools to those who can provide discipline.

“We are also incorporating the alumni associations into our developmental agenda. I have received series of correspondences and communications from religious organisations like Methodist, Nawarudeen, Catholic and Anglican writing that they wanted their schools back.

“Under this arrangement, the government will still be paying for teachers until we reach an arrangement for those that will take over and we will work out arrangement on how to handle some of these grey areas in the affected schools.”

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Government said it would soon translate the law establishing the South-West Security Outfit, code-named Amotekun and other state’s legislations into Yoruba Language.

The state’s Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Olawale Fapohunda, who spoke while briefing newsmen yesterday, said that it was in furtherance of the commitment of Fayemi’s administration to its citizens active participation in governance

According to him, “the governor has today approved the translation of laws of Ekiti State into Yoruba Language. The Ekiti State Ministry of Justice will immediately commence the translation of the laws of Ekiti State into Yoruba Language.”

Fapohunda further stated that “given the volumes of the laws of Ekiti State, the translation will be implemented in phases.”