By Ayodele Oni
After 10 years of closure, the Oyo State government has ordered the reopening of 23 schools in Atiba, Afijio, Oyo East and Oyo West Local Government Areas of the State.
The Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal who ordered the reopening on Thursday, waded into the boundary crisis that culminated into a 10-year closure of the schools in the Local Government Areas.
The Deputy Governor, who doubles as the chairman of the State Boundary Committee, charged the chairmen of Atiba, Afijio, Oyo East and Oyo West LGA to ensure security and peace in their domains.
A statement by the commissioner for information, Dotun Oyelade stated that the Deputy Governor warned that if there are any breaches of security, the Chairmen will be held responsible.
The Deputy Governor equally stated that the Ministry of Education will oversee the schools, after reopening adding that the Ministry will do whatever is required to put the children back to school.
He also enjoined the 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 who assured that the office of the Surveyor general will wade into the boundary dispute among the communities, appealed to the community leaders to adhere to the Oyo State Government’s verdict 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 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.”
