Shot Pupil: Mimiko condoles School, assures on renovation of Primary Schools

Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko on Thursday fought back tears as he paid condolence visit to the site where a pupil of All Saint Anglican Primary School in Oke Ijebu Area of Akure, the State capital, was accidentally shot dead by a mate assuring that such an unfortunate incident, which he blamed on the porous nature of most of the school, would not happen again. He assured that his government would definitely build schools with the right atmosphere for studies and security.

Specifically, the Governor who was accompanied by his wife, Olukemi, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Samuel Adesina, the Anglican Bishop of Akure Diocese, Bishop Michael Ipinmoye and other top Government officials of the State could not hold back their emotion as they beheld the blood splattered scene of the incident where the pupil was shot.

Governor Mimiko in commiserating with the teachers and family of the pupil as well as the Anglican Church Community declared that the incident underscored the decision of his government to build mega primary schools across the length and breath of the State with the right atmosphere where learning and adequate security would be provided adding that government was spending the sum of N500 million on massive renovation and fencing of all dilapidated primary school buildings across the state.

Mimiko who equally prayed that God should grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, stated that the money would be expended on fencing and general renovation of existing structures to make the schools conducive for learning by the pupils and enable the teachers perform their duties effectively and ensure that they are well-secured.

“It is the determination of this government to ensure that our primary schools are not death traps, the fact is that many things we ought to have done earlier have been abandoned a long time ago, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step, I know that we shall get there even if it takes time.

 
“As I am talking to you now, this government is working on the building of Caring Heart Mega Schools in different locations in the state like Okitipupa, Ikare, Akure and Ondo. These Mega schools are designed in a way to make them meet the taste of the moment in order to return the lost glory of the state in the education sector.”

Dr Mimiko said when the schools are completed; it would accommodate 1,000 pupils in addition to the provision of necessary facilities including modern libraries and laboratories.

In his response, the Anglican Bishop, Michael Ipinmoye thanked the Governor for coming to the school within 24 hours and called for the fencing of the school which he noted was too porous and could be infiltrated by hoodlums as was the case that led to the sad incident. It would be recalled that on Wednesday, a pupil accidentally shot his

colleague with a gun they found under a pile of collapsed fence while clearing the rubbles.