How I benefitted from Bola Ige’s free education policy- Makinde

By Adejayan Gbenga

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has revealed that he benefited from the free education programme introduced during the tenure of the late Chief Bola Ige.

Makinde made the disclosure on Monday while speaking at the opening ceremony of Oyo State at 50, commemorating five decades since the state’s creation.

Oyo State was created on February 3, 1976, during the military regime of the late General Murtala Muhammad, while Bola Ige served as the first executive governor of the old Oyo State from October 1, 1979, to October 1, 1983.

The governor said he did not pay any school fees during his secondary school years at Bishop Philips Academy, thanks to Ige’s free education initiative.

He also noted that he had recently canceled tuition fees in both primary and secondary schools across the state as a way of giving back to society.

Makinde said, “You know that Uncle Bola Ige introduced free education programme in Oyo State. I started my secondary education during Bola Ige’s free education programme. They gave us books, chairs, tables and everything we needed. I did not pay school fees.”

He added, “When I canceled the school fees, it is a way to give back. The full strength of Oyo State lies in its people. Oyo State has moved from promises to performances.”