Oyo Government Orders Reopening Of 23 Schools After A Decade Of Closure

Oyo State government has ordered 23 schools to reopen after they were shut for almost 10 years due to boundary disputes in Atiba, Afijio, Oyo East, and Oyo West local government areas of the state.

Speaking at the Western Hall, located at the Secretariat in Ibadan, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State Bayo Lawal said that local governments will maintain peace in the area as schools got shut previously due to a dispute on the land.

"I appeal to you our elders and chairmen of the affected local governments to consider the future of these children. The primary reason this meeting is held is for the schools that were closed for 10 years to reopen immediately. That is the message from the governor himself," Lawal said Thursday, Punch reported.

Lawal, who also serves as Chairman of the Oyo State Boundary Committee, said that he engaged all the stakeholders, community leaders, honorable members, and the chairmen of the various local governments and reached a conclusion to reopen all the schools in the interest of the children.

The meeting was attended by the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology Salihu Adelabu, Executive Chairman of Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, chairpersons of the four local governments alongside traditional leaders.

The deputy governor urged all the members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, representing the affected constituencies, to ensure that the children are back in school. He also advised them to take the help of community leaders to encourage kids for the same.

Furthermore, he warned the chairpersons of all the local governments that in case of any breach of security in the area, the respective chairperson would be held responsible.

Insecurity is a major issue in Nigeria as bandit attacks have increased, including the killing and kidnapping of several communities, especially in the Northern region.

Osun State - which shares borders with Oyo State – announced a curfew with immediate effect earlier this week after a clash between Ilobu and Ifon communities claimed the lives of two people and caused property damage.

This incident comes just one day after a coalition of 48 civil society organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency due to rising insecurity in the country.