By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
The Ekiti State governor, Dr John Kayode Fayemi has announced cancellation of payment of educational levies for primary and secondary schools in public and private schools in Ekiti.
The immediate past administration of Mr Ayodele Fayose had introduced the payment of five hundred naira levy in primary school and one thousand naira in secondary schools in the state.
The cancellation according to the new governor takes immediate effect.
In the same vein, governor Fayemi also announced the commencements of school feeding programmes, to take-off in the state before December this year.
Fayemi made the declaration in Ikere-Ekiti on Wednesday during his thank you visit to the people of Ekiti South Senatorial district.
According to him: “When we were in government before 2010 and 2014, we ran free education until when the last administration came and said school children should pay tax.
“By the grace of God, by December this year, we are also going to
introduce school feeding from primary to Junior Secondary 3 as part of the benefits we will get from the federal government”, he stated.
The governor who had earlier visited Ido-Ekiti to appreciate the people of Ekiti North senatorial district for his victory proceeded to Ikere-Ekiti on the same purpose.
Fayemi paid homage to Ogoga of Ikere; Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado and commended the people of the community for the standby.
He urged the members of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti to cooperate and work together for the success of the party in 2019 general elections.
He also urged the party members to forget about electoral grudges to fight a common goal.
“We cannot avoid disagreement in politics, that’s why there is dialogue and reconciliation. The most important thing is to cooperate to achieve success in 2019.
“When I succeeded in governorship primary election, I ensured I visited my co-aspirants before 8am in the morning, the following day, for dialogue and reconciliation, and I received their supports”.
The governor therefore urged all the State/National Assembly candidates to emulate the style for unity to reign in the party.
“We must not allow cracks in our party, we must be united. Whoever thinks he could fight the leaders and other contestants and still win election is wasting his time, he had already heard the result of the election.
“Don’t let us de-market our party, All Progressives Congress (APC) by our comments. We must be united the way we were for the July 14 election. I want you to learn from me, after the governorship primary, which I won, I immediately embarked on fence-mending mission to all aspirants, this is how it should be.
He advised the candidates to respect the party leaders and members in their own interests and the interest of the APC.
Fayemi enjoined the APC in the state that unity, love, understanding and cooperation among members remain criteria for the party’s electoral victory in 2019.
He reiterated the readiness of the presidency to support the state on developmental projects as highlighted by the Secretary to the Federal Government; Mr. Boss Mustapha who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at his inauguration on Tuesday.
He urged the APC in the state “to support President Buhari in the next general election to clear the 3 Senatorial Districts and the six house of representatives in the state, for eventual victory during the presidential elections.
He promised to revive the Local Council development areas (LCDA) created in his first tenure, enjoined Ekiti people to be patient and allow him conquer the challenges of backlog of salaries pensioners gratuities, several allowances, for peaceful atmosphere.
Governor Fayemi promised prompt payment of workers’ salaries as and when due. He said Government cannot owe salaries and still impose levies on school children, hence the stoppage of tax payment by school children in primary and secondary schools in the state.
Fayemi advised the party members to cooperate with the reconciliatory committee headed by the deputy governor; Chief Bisi Egbeyemi and promised to soon commence payment of social scheme fees for the aged.
The Governor’s Thank You Visit was attended by notable APC chieftains in the state among whom are Dr Wole Oluyede, Senator Gbenga Aluko, Hon Bamidele Faparusi, Surveyor Biodun Aluko to mention few with Olukere of Ikere-Ekiti; Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin in attendance.