Aketi: The only means where a son of a farmer can sit in the midst a son of a president is by education. In fact, if divine providence shines on a son of a farmer, he can become the president through education.

The great sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo knew this, that was why he introduced free education to western region(Yoruba part of Nigeria) when he was the premier of western region.

Having western education for Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a tug of war. I recently stumbled on the letter he wrote to secure loan for higher institution in London from then one of the richest persons in then Ijebuland.

He was never so fortunate like then, his commissioner for education, Chief Michael Ajasin who was sponsored by OWO community to Fara bay college, Seria Leone. The duo met at London and formed Egbe Omo Oduduwa which later metamorphosized to political party action group of first republic.

One of the cardinal programs of action group which one formulated by our patriarch (Chief Adekunle Ajasin) in OWO was free primary education.

Action group as a party became so dear to people of western region (Yoruba,) because of the burdens of school fees lifted from our forefathers and provided opportunities for present leaders in various fields of life to western education.

Later in second republic, Action Group changed to unity party of Nigeria (UPN) with western region being divided into 4 states and had Chief Awolowo’s disciples as governors, Chief Ajasin(old Ondo state), Chief Bola Ige( old Oyo state), Chief lateef Jakande (Lagos state), Prof. Ambrose Ali( old Bendel state, now Edo and delta).

They all introduced free education to secondary schools level before the truncation of the republic by military junta.

The present dispensation of governors in Ondo state also continued the Chief Awolowo’s legacy of free education. In fact , Chief Adefarati introduced free NECO exams for SS3 students. Dr Agagu, being an educationist, he introduced Free WAEC for SS3 students in public schools.

Dr Mimiko continued the inherited free education programs and free NECO exams for secondary schools.

Apart from these, the previous governors of the state also ensured the state owned University, (Adekunle Ajasin University) school fees were affordable because it has the majority of her students from Ondo state.

In addition, the previous governors were paying yearly scholarships for first class GPA students and Medical students of Ondo state origin in all higher institutions of learning.

Now Aketi

Since inception of Aketi ‘s administration, the only thing his supporters are praising his adminstration for was the repairing of old primary school buildings by universal basic education( federal government’s body in charge of primary schools) through SUBEB.

Most of the primary schools have no teachers to teach the children. In fact , like majority of boards of parastatals in the state, teaching service board is not constituted (board in charge of secondary schools)and others.

Aketi ‘s government did not only stop free education programs, no bursary and scholarships have been paid to students in higher Institutions of learning , no free WAEC or NECO for SS3 students, the Adekunle Ajasin University’s school fees have been increased by 1000%.

It is a bitter truth that Ondo state has never had it this bad in education sector since the creation of the state.

The hope of average citizens of Ondo state is that Chief Olusola Oke will help to reverse the situation to old trend when he becomes the governor in Feb, 2021.

Chief Oke, like Chief Awolowo had financial challenges in having western education. He even stopped after primary education but by divine providence, he is a senior Advocate of Nigeria today. He will be able to provide educational succors for the downtrodden, having been part of them in the past.

Oke gbemi, Oke gbeje!

Ni Ipinle Ondo, Oke lanlo!

Grassroots for Good Governance Initiative, Ondo State Chapter