23rd October, 2023
The Oyo State Government has demolished 359 illegal structures and shanties shielding its public primary and secondary school premises within the Ibadan metropolis.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, during the exercise on Monday, reiterated the government’s commitment to bring sanity to school premises in the State.
Mogbonjubola said about two months ago, he directed the issuance of eviction letters, which were dispatched through the principals and heads of the affected schools.
“The eviction notices were also directly issued to owners of the illegal shops, shanties, and structures, which were acknowledged by them,” he said.
Mogbonjubola assured of the readiness on the part of government to remove all impediments capable of distractions around school premises towards a more conducive learning environment in the state.
According to the Commissioner, “we will not rest on our oars, until sanity is maintained…every student stands to learn better and maximize his/her potential, only if the learning environment is favorable…the present administration of His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde, will never look away from this reality”.
Consequently, about forty-five schools, where the illegal structures were feasibly erected, now wear better looks.
Schools around Ode Aje, Orita Aperin, especially, IMG, Ode Aje; Islamic Primary and Secondary Schools; IMG Olubadan Basic Schools 1, 2 and 3, Orita Aperin; Government Technical College, Orita Aperin; Christ Church High school; United Mission College Demonstration School 1, Molete; IDC Basic School, Adobe; St. Stephen’s Primary School, Alegongo; Community High School Alegongo; Issabatudeen Girls’ Grammar School, Orita Basorun; St. Paul’s Anglican Primary School, Yanbule; Methodist Grammar School Bodija; Emmanuel College, U.I, and host of others were sanitized.
The Commissioner, however, warned owners of the illegal shanties against further occupation of the school premises to avoid facing the wrath of Oyo State Environmental laws.
Earlier, Governor Seyi Makinde had during one of his night inspections in Ibadan metropolis discovered arrays of shanties and illegal structures overshadowing most schools and their fences, a situation he described as highly disgusting and inappropriate.
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