Ondo Govt Moves To Reduce Tuition Fees In Tertiary Institutions; PDP Says Timing Meant To Deceive |The Source

By Ayodele Oni, Akure

Apparently bowing to outcry over high tuition fees being paid in government owned institutions in Ondo state, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has assured of their review and possible reduction.

This assurance, coming less than two months to the Governorship election in the state has been faulted by the opposition People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) which described it as “a campaign to hoodwink the electorate.”

Akeredolu, made the pledge while playing host to the leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS,  led by its President, Mr Danielson Bamidele in Akure.

Describing students as important to his administration, the governor pointed out that he had instructed his team to find out the tuition payable in other state owned institutions so as to know what steps to take on the reduction of tuition in the state.

”Students are important to us. It will take all of us to sit down to have this discussion about tuition. It’s not a discussion of the deaf. All of us will be hearing. A time when you go to Abuja and take N9 million as against when you go to Abuja now and get far less and you have to pay salary.

Akeredolu used the occasion again to send banters to his predecessor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko saying “unlike somebody that decided not to pay for seven months, I met seven months salary arrears, and I have paid six. So I prioritize the workers’ welfare.

“We shore up our IGR to spend more on infrastructure. I note what you have raised on this issue of fees.

“At my last meeting, I have said, let me have where they are paying less than what we charge here. What we found out was that for those newly admitted, we still charge the lowest in tuition, but for the second year and all, we have state owned institutions that charge lesser than us. And if not for this issue of Covid, we have decided to reduce it. We will reduce it.

“It’s not a matter for political gains. I know by the time we announce it, they will turn it to political gains. We will make sure that by next week we make the announcement on the fee”.

In its reaction, the PDP asked governor Akeredolu whether he just realised that hundreds of students have dropped out of state owned tertiary institutions on account of increased fees;

“Did Akeredolu not say that the increment of fees parents were complaining about is not more than the cost of a pair of shoes?

“Making such a pledge now that elections are just around the corner is laughable and ridiculous. It is a calculated attempt to deceive the people who have outrightly rejected Akeredolu and the APC for anti-people policies and Programes.”

A statement by the publicity secretary, Mr Kennedy Peretei, pointed out that there is no amount of deceit and fake promises that can save Akeredolu from defeat at the polls come October, 2020.

The NANS leadership had earlier lauded what it described as “Akeredolu giant strides in all sectors” assuring him of support during the forthcoming election.