Members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Ibadan City and Less City zones have pledged their unflinching support for Governor Seyi Makinde’s second term aspiration in Oyo State.
The teachers, who disclosed the support are in appreciation of the Governor Makinde’s goodwill in empowering the teachers with the requisite tools to be able to deliver their best in the profession.
This is coming on the heels of an endorsement of the governor’s candidacy by teachers and public school workers at Adamansigba, Ibadan on Monday and Wednesday respectively.
The initiator, GSM Teachers Marine and Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, appreciated the thousands of teachers who came out to declare support for Makinde’s second term bid.
The Commissioner said teachers deserved to be appreciated for their role in nation building and assured of continued conducive environment under Makinde’s administration.
He commended teachers for their resourcefulness, dedication and resilience in carrying out their professional tasks.
He said the state government is working with necessary government parastatals to fashion out ways to improve teachers’ welfare and meet their demands.
The Chairman, TESCOM, Pastor Akin Alamu said the gathering is not purely a political one, rather it is a union gathering of teachers, who have come together to appreciate Governor Makinde’s kind gesture in the past three years.
“We shall only support aspirants and leaders who have worked and served the society perfectly,” he said.
He added that teachers have been tested in leadership positions and are capable of representing their colleagues, giving the example of the Permanent Secretary, TESCOM, which will open more doors for teachers in the state.
He said the country needed people like Makinde who could articulate education issues that will also help uplift education standards in the country.
“We are going to rally our teachers to support Governor Makinde who is running for 2nd term in office. He is closely related with the teachers and understands better the challenges experienced,” he observed.
The ALGON Chairman and Egbeda Local Government boss, Hon Oyedele Sikiru Sanda who spoke on behalf of the local governments in the zone , said Governor Makinde deserves a second term in office.
He appreciated Oyo state teachers for showing so much enthusiasm in their support for Governor Makinde’s re-election bid.
“To whom much is given, much is expected. Makinde has shown that he loves teachers so much. Recall that he met about a six months backlog of salaries; he cleared these backlogs and has consistently paid salaries as at when due”, he said.
He appealed to them to support the Governor’s mandate, pledging that he would not let them down.
“Our dear governor has ensured an increase in your housing and car loans. These are good testimonies of our dear Governor’s commitment to your wellbeing”, he added.
The teachers, led by the Permanent Secretary, Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM, Mrs. Bisi Oderinde, the teachers noted that Governor Makinde has all it takes to lead the State to the Promised Land, following his commitment towards the workforce and championing teachers’ welfare in the state.
Oderinde remarked that teachers in Oyo State are only interested in leaders who can perform and impact the work-force in the state positively.
She recalled the hardship teachers went through before the emergence of Governor Makinde, adding that Teachers have been given the opportunity to take up administrative roles in the civil service.
“The reason we Teachers in Oyo state have come out to support Governor Seyi Makinde is his good gestures towards us. Despite the meager resources in the State, he has managed to give us reasons to smile.
She hinted that as part of the kind gestures of the Governor, Eleven teachers will soon emerge as Permanent Secretaries, who would be in charge of the zonal offices of the Commission.
“Our reward is no more in heaven, Teachers. Governor Makinde knows it is only teachers who know where the shoe pinches, for this reason Teachers have been given the opportunity to serve in leadership positions”, she said.
She added that the Governor has also approved a new Directorate in the commission, Pension and Post Service, which will cater retired teachers in earnest.
According to the Head of Zone 2, Mr. Babatunde Olayinka Onifade, teachers have chosen to show solidarity for the present administration in the state because the numerous achievements of the Governor can not go unnoticed.
He urged the state government and all stakeholders to place priorities on major challenges facing the teaching profession, especially in the primary sector, saying this would produce quality, highly skilled and motivated teachers.
Speaking on behalf of teachers in Ibadan Central zone, Comrade Ayodele Kamorudeen opined that Oyo State Teachers are lucky, judging by what their contemporaries are passing through in neighboring states.
He said Governor Makinde deserves a second term, adding that civil servants are breathing air of freshness and independence.
He urged teachers in the state to get their Permanent Voters Card, so as to vote in the forthcoming elections.
Challenges in Pri schools:
He however lamented the acute shortage of teachers in the primary sector; non -release of grants to Primary schools; and non-promotion of teachers from level 13 and above in Primary schools.
Comrade Ranti Gbenle-Oluwemimo, the Secretary, Academic Staff Union of Secondary schools, saluted Governor Makinde, who has not owed teachers in Oyo state a dime since his administration began.
“Teachers in Oyo state, we have never had it this good”, she said.
The Secretary General, ANCOPSS, Oyo State, Akin Akinade said the January 2018 Supreme Court judgment permits civil servants to participate in politics.
He urged them to take part in the 2023 elections by voting enmasse for Governor Makinde .
Speaking on behalf of the Association of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria, Mrs. Mujidat Oyedokun eulogised Governor Makinde’s role in the new lease of life teachers have now.
Also the branch Chairman, Non-Academic Staff Union, Mrs. M.A Adediran, said Governor Makinde’s good governance is borne out of a polished sense of responsibility to the electorate.
The union however appealed to the Governor to kindly accede to their formal agitations, which brought an impasse between them and the former administration.
She said members of the union are think-tanks for TESCOM and the state Government.
Speaking on behalf of the newly recruited teachers in Ibadan, Yusuf Gboyega Abdulafeez called for inclusive support for Governor Seyi Makinde, who changed the life trajectory of many of the new teachers.
A retiree, Mrs. Adepoju, commended prompt payment of gratuities and pensions by the State Government, adding that the present administration has made retirement a bed of roses for many.
The event also had in attendance, Hon Kehinde Adeyemi Akande, Chairman Ibadan South West LGA; Hon. Adepoju Rahmon, Chairman Ibadan North West LGA and Hon. Alawode Oluwole Emmanuel, Chairman, Ibadan South East LGA.
Others were, NUT Treasurer, Comrade Raji and AOPSHON Chairman, Com. Adeagbo.
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