Hottestgistnaija.com
Primary school teachers in Oyo State on Friday trooped out in their thousands to express their support for the re-election of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, saying that the governor deserved a second term in view of his monumental achievements since his assumption of office.
The teachers, who were from all the 33 local government areas of the state, converged on the Remembrance Arcade, Government House, Ibadan to solidarize with the governor and express their unflinching support for his second term bid.
Speaking at the rally, spokesman of the teachers, Mr. Bisi Oladeji, said they could not but support Governor Ajimobi whom they described as a friend of not only the teachers but indeed, of the masses.
Saying that the governor had surpassed his predecessors in office in terms of physical infrastructure, provision of social amenities and a holistic urban renewal programme which have changed the face of the state, Oladeji added that teachers’ welfare had also been given priority attention.
“You are a governor with a bid difference. We acknowledge your commitment to the welfare of the people and your love for us. We are using this opportunity to pledge our unalloyed support for you in your desire for a second term in office,’’ he said.
Oladeji also commended the governor for the pervading peace and security in the state, rehabilitation of schools, prompt payment of salaries and allowances, promotion of teachers, recent employment of 5,300 teaching and non-teaching staff, gazetting teachers’ employment as well as the raising of the bar of graduate primary school teachers from Grade Level 14 to Grade Level 15 among others.
He noted that the revolution brought into education in the state had indeed transformed the sector, adding that the fact that civil servants and teachers in the state had not for once gone on strike was an indication of the fact that Governor Ajimobi was a good manager of men and resources.
Governor Ajimobi, in his address, thanked the teachers for trooping out in large number to openly express their love for him and his government.
He urged them not to be distracted by the antics of some politicians who he said were out to feed them with lies and deliberate misinformation so as to deceive them.
Describing his administration as teacher-friendly, Governor Ajimobi said that no fewer than 81,000 teachers had undergone training in the last three and a half years to enhance their performance, adding that with the two upward reviews of salaries which his government had done since 2011, teachers were now receiving twice the salaries they received during the last administration.
He urged the teachers not only to continue their support for his government but also to keep on propagating his achievements for the continuity of good governance in the state.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Busari Adebisi said teachers had benefitted more than other categories of civil servants in the state under the Ajimobi administration.
“Our teachers are happier under the administration of Governor Ajimobi. They are more committed to their work. However, this is the payback time. You must show your appreciation by support his re-election,’’ he said.
