Mixed Reactions as Makinde Directs Reopening of Schools in Ibadan After #EndSARS Protests

The Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has directed schools in Ibadan, the state capital, to resume normal academic activities from tomorrow, Monday, 26th October, 2020.

The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, who made this known in a statement issued on Sunday, said that the directive followed a review of the situation in Ibadan metropolis as earlier promised by the governor in a state broadcast.

The statement read: “His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, directed the closure of  schools in Ibadan metropolis on Tuesday, 20th of October, 2020, following the #EndSARS protests that rocked the state.

“His Excellency had, in a message to the people of Oyo State, stated that the situation will be reviewed on Friday, 23rd October, 2020.

“Following a review of the situation as earlier promised, the state government is happy to observe that normalcy has returned to the state in the aftermath of the protests.

“His Excellency,  Governor Makinde, appreciates the youths who have been cooperating with security operatives to maintain peace, while assuring them that their demands are being addressed,” the statement concluded.

However, some parents and guardians have expressed fears over the decision of the Oyo State Government to reopen schools at this time when there are pockets of violence in the state capital.

One of the parents, Mrs Olufumilayo frowned at the decision, describing it as hasty and not well thought of.

Another guardian who resides at Academy, Iwo Road urged the state government to postpone the resumption by a week to be able to nip the wave of violence in the bud. They commended Governor Makinde for all the efforts made to curb the violence across the state.