Teachers in Ekiti State under the auspices of the State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and Head-teachers under the aegis of the Association of Primary Schools Head-teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON) as well as other key stakeholders in the education sector have endorsed Governor Biodun Oyebanji for a second term in Office.

The endorsements were announced in Ado-Ekiti during the official flag-off of the registration of pupils for the 2024/2025 Academic Session and distribution of instructional materials worth over N174 million to public primary schools in the State.

In his address, the State NUT Chairman, Comrade Bamidele Daudu explained that the endorsement of the Governor by the union was predicated on his unprecedented giant strides in the State, particularly the education sector, noting that 1,500 primary teachers were recruited in less than two years into his tenure while he also approved the elongation of the terminal point of graduate teachers in primary schools from Salary Grade Levels 15 to 16 as well as initiated car and housing loan schemes for primary school teachers.

Comrade Daudu stressed that the numerous interventions of the Oyebanji administration including the regular training and retraining of teachers has completely transformed teaching and learning environment in public schools in the State.

Daudu emphasized that Governor Oyebanji deserves support for a second term in office for his unique all-inclusive style of governance as well as his focus, clear vision and efforts to rapidly develop the State and improve the living condition of residents.

The State AOPSHON Chairman, Mr. Olusola Ajiborode, in his own remarks, lauded the developmental strides of the Governor, describing the regular payment of running grants to schools, regular promotion of teachers, upgrade in the welfare of teachers through the regular payment of gratuities and pension of retired teachers in the state as worthy of commendation.

He said “teachers as major influencers of public opinion, will continue to mobilize and galvanize support for the success of Governor Oyebanji”.

Also speaking, the Dean of the Body of Education Secretaries in the State, Mr. Toyin Omotoso said the group endorsed Governor Oyebanji for a second term in office because of his well-thought-out policies that have resulted in the landmark achievements of the administration adding that the payment of over N2.5 billion counterpart funds to UBEC, procurement of 16 Toyota Corolla cars as utility vehicles for Education Secretaries and recruitment of over 400 security guards to protect schools in the State contributed immeasurably to the improvement in the State primary education sector.

Earlier in his address, Governor Oyebanji who spoke through the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Olabimpe Aderiye restated his administration’s commitment to its free education policy, adding that the reading and learning materials being distributed were procured to compliment other government’s proactive steps within the last two years.

The Governor solicited the continued support of all stakeholders to sustain government’s efforts at building an enviable educational structure for school children in the State.

Assuring that his Administration would continue to provide adequate funding for the educational sector and not only sustain but improve on the level of development achieved so far, Oyebanji stressed that parents and guardians have no excuse not to enroll their children in public schools in the State.

Earlier in his welcome address the Executive Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board, Prof Femi Akinwumi said the procured instructional materials were basically to facilitate meaningful learning experiences, improve comprehension, and ultimately boost academic achievements in schools.

Prof. Akinwumi highlighted the materials distributed to include 30,240 pieces of 60 leaves exercise book, 36,000 pieces of blue and red biro each, 4,000 cartons of white chalk, 100 cartons of coloured chalk, 8,015 pieces of branded pupils attendance register, 8,015 pieces of diary and 288 bundles of cardboard as well as 705 packets of permanent marker, 200 packets of white board marker, 335 bottles of ink, and 185,000 assessment cards.

In his goodwill message the State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon Taiwo Olatunbosun restated the commitment of the Oyebanji Administration to transforming public schools in the State into centres of Excellence.

He said apart from its Free Education policy, the Oyebanji Administration continues to provide succor for indigent pupils and students through scholarship programmes, bursary awards and conditional cash transfer.

Also in his goodwill message, the State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Folorunso Olabode said his Ministry would continue to partner the Board in view of the fact that a significant part of the funding of Basic Education falls under the Third tier of Government.

In her Goodwill message, the State Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi who described the Mr Oyebanji as a worker-friendly Governor lauded his giant strides in all sectors of the public Service since he assumed office 23 months ago.

She urged teachers and pupils to put in their best as basic education is the foundation of what one becomes in future.

In his goodwill message,the Chairman of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Hon Jacob Awoniyi who spoke through Hon Johnson Bode-Adeoye  said the house would continue support Government to ensure that all children of school age in the  state  have unfettered access to free primary and secondary education

The event was attended by the SUBEB Commissioner in charge of Human Resources Management, Dr Olufunke Fajobi, the SUBEB Commissioner Projects, Dr Kayode Adeoye, the SUBEB Permanent Secretary, Mr. Afolabi Adeniyi and Permanent Secretaries of other MDAs amongst others.