2015: Oyo students rally behind Ajimobi
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has pledged support for the second term bid of the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, in appreciation of his student-friendly policies and programmes.
The Deputy Coordinator of NANS, Zone D, Mr. Afolabi Adesina, spoke on behalf of the students as the campaign train of the governor visited Apete and Awotan communities in Ido Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday.
The students’ leader said they were rooting for Governor Ajimobi’s second term for acceding to the demands they made before the 2011 governorship election.
According to him, of specific importance to the students was the 50 per cent reduction of tuition fees in state-owned tertiary institutions which had lessened the financial burden on their parents and guardians.
“We will support you because of the pervading peace and security in Oyo State. You promised us that you would curb thuggery and violence, and you did so. Secondly, we asked you to reduce our school fees and did so by 50 per cent.
“The third reason we are supporting your re-election is because you gave all the tertiary institutions in Oyo State, including the University of Ibadan and other federal institutions, 14 buses.
“In addition, primary and secondary school students now enjoy free bus ride to and fro school. This has brought great financial relief to their parents.
“Before you became governor, even the buses owned by few privileged schools were in very bad conditions but now, we cruise around in brand new buses.
“Those that came before you told us they would this and that for us but never fulfilled their promises. But on your own part, you promised and delivered. We are confident that if given another opportunity, you will take students’ welfare to a higher level.
“We have resolved that in 2015, students in the whole of Oyo State will show appreciation for your kind gestures. We are promising you our full support and we want to urge to continue to do more for us,’’ he said.
Governor Ajimobi, while addressing the people of the council area, including the Muslim and Christian communities, promised that the Ijokodo-Apete-Awotan Road currently under construction would be completed in the next six months.
Empathizing with the people, the governor attributed the delay in the completion of the project to the sudden shortfall in the federal allocation to the state, saying that efforts were made to ensure that the pace of work was further accelerated.
The governor said that he was irrevocably committed to the welfare and wellbeing of the people of the area whom he said had been left to their fate by past administrations in spite of the perennial flooding that had consumed lives and property.
“It is interesting that two former governors are in this race with me. I am told that they have been criticizing us over the Apete bridge project. Thank God that the bridge has been completed now.
“I want to tell you that anytime they come here again to discredit us, ask them what they did with the construction of this bridge which was brought before them during their tenures. The non-construction of the bridge claimed several lives and property. If it is true that they love you as they have claimed, why did they leave you to suffer untold hardship over the bridge?
“This contest has provided an opportunity for those of us who have been governors of this state to tell the people what we did for them and what critical areas of the people’s socio-economic lives did we intervene.
“For me, I have this Apete bridge to show; I have Mokola flyover to flaunt; free bus ride for civil servants and students, improved welfare package for public servants, dualized roads and beautiful scenery, and most importantly, the pervading peace and security among other populist programmes and policies of this current administration,’’ he said.
