Ex-commissioner replies Oyo gov over failed school building | EduCeleb
EduCeleb
17th November 2020
A former Commissioner for Education in Oyo State has replied Governor Seyi Makinde over the Oba Akinbiyi School project.
Professor Adeniyi Olowofela who served as commissioner when the school building was constructed urged Makinde to arm himself with adequate facts on the said model school before passing judgment.
Makinde had earlier told the public that the school failed structural integrity test when he visited there on Monday.
Professor Olowofela in a statement titled, “Governor Makinde let Senator Ajimobi rest in peace” stressed that Governor Makinde ought to have look for details from the ministry of education and works before making derogatory comments on the late Ajimobi.
Olowofela said the model schools were supposed to be six ab initio. The initial arrangement was that the Contractor will fund the projects and the Government will pay later.
Noting that when it was obvious that the financial of the Contractor can not provide the fund for him, Government decided to construct three model schools and fund it based on milestones achieved.
Olowofela maintained that at a point, it became obvious that the pace at which the projects were going, they may not be completed during the administration of Governor Ajimobi, stressing that at one of the cabinets meeting, the contracts were terminated and the ministry of works was directed, to take over the completion of the projects.
“Ministry of work took over the constructions of Oba Akinbiyi Model School and Islamic Model School while that of Saki could not be completed within the time frame left. All these records can be provided by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of works.
“Dear Governor Seyi Makinde, I believe strongly that you ought to look at all these and possibly asked for detailed reports (from both Ministry of Education and Works) before your derogatory comments on the late Governor Ajimobi. Let me add for your information and urgent attention that the Ogbomoso model school (started during the Akala regime completed by Ajimobi is 99 percent ready) kindly do the needful to let the place be put into good use.
“While I am not appealing to you to cover any shady deals if any, it is immoral and ungovernor-like to make press comments on issues that you have not been adequately briefed.
“Dear Mr. Governor, everything in life is ephemeral, you will one day leave the post but now that you’re are there, do your best and leave the rest. I wish you the best in the difficult but interesting task of leadership.
“May Oyo-State continue to wax stronger and may the Almighty God give you the wisdom and strength to leave the state better that you met.
Let Governor Ajimobi rest in peace”.
EduCeleb.com recalls that the Oba Akinbiyi model school was constructed by the immediate past Governor of the State, Late Abiola Ajimobi, who Professor Olowofela served with as a Commissioner for Education, has been generating heat debates among the residents of the state, as Governor Makinde has ordered a probe of the project.