The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 election in Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, yesterday paid the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination fees for 19 prisoners at the Agodi Prison, Ibadan
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He also assured the beneficiaries that he would provide qualified teachers and textbooks for them to be prepared ahead of the examinations so that they could come out with good results.
Makinde, at a brief ceremony after meeting the beneficiaries, told the controller of prisons in Oyo State, Mr Tosin Akinrujomu, that he was encouraged by the determination of the prisoners to forge ahead with their lives despite the distraction of prison life.
In a statement issued by the Seyi Makinde Campaign Organisation and signed by Prince Dotun Oyelade, Makinde promised to do more for all underprivileged people in the state, saying that his “administration would be devoted to the challenges of the underprivileged.”
While reacting to the comments of the spokesman for the prisoners, Makinde said he was surprised that it was the first time that prisoners would be sitting for examinations since the Agodi Prison was established in 1894.
He said that his gesture would increase in scope if he becomes governor next year.
Makinde lamented what he called government’s abdication of its role, and promised to turn all schools into model schools, and not just a handful.
He also promised to restrict the number of students per class to 30, with enough motivated teachers in schools.
