Mimiko approves car, housing loans for primary school teachers

• Jegede promises to sustain free shuttle buses for pupils
• Igbo traders, NURTW pledge support

Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has directed the inclusion of primary school teachers in the category of government workers who enjoy car and housing loans.

Dr. Mimiko, addressing the fifth quadrennial state delegates’ conference of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ondo State Wing, in Akure yesterday, said it would be tagged “Primary School Loans Scheme.”

According to him, the scheme will be presented to the state executive council for its seal.

The governor said running grants for schools would be given to them simultaneously at the time of payment of teachers’ salaries, adding that the running of free shuttle bus scheme would continue to take the first charge under his administration.

The out-going NUT chairman and state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ojo Fanimokun and Bosede Daramola, appreciated the Mimiko-led government for prioritising teachers’ welfare, including promotion and other welfare packages.

They urged the governor to address the issue of shortage of teachers as soon as the economy of the state improves.

In another development, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Ondo State November 26 election, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), has promised to sustain the free shuttle initiative of the present government.

Jegede, who stated this in Akure while distributing 30,000 exercise books to pupils and students, said it was to cushion the effect of the present economic realities on parents as schools resume. Over 500 school children benefited.

He assured the pupils that ‎beyond the sustenance of the free shuttle, his government would consolidate on other novel achievements like the mega schools, 21st-century compliant secondary schools and renovations where necessary.

Meanwhile, Igbo traders in Akure metropolis have pledged their support for him.

The traders, who converged in Akure yesterday to welcome him, said: “Only Jegede, only a PDP government, can protect our interest.”

The Chairman of Igbo Spare-parts Sellers Association, Akure South Branch, Mr. Okey Eze, said they were surprised and impressed that Jegede could still bother to approach them for votes, “because we decided long ago that all our votes are for him.

Also, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has declared unalloyed support for Jegede based on the continued assistance and encouragement it has received from the present administration.

The NURTW General Secretary of Ajapada Branch, Mr. Ilesanmi Oluwagbemiga, who spoke on behalf of others, said they believed that Jegede would perform.