Oyebanji extends EKiti teachers’ retirement age to 65 years

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Lassa fever: Ondo records 106 cases, 8 deaths Prof. Francis Faduyile, Special Adviser to Ondo State governor on Health Lassa Fever By Segun Giwa Akure, Jan. 29, 2023(NAN) Ondo State government has said 106 cases of Lassa Fever and eight deaths have been recorded in the state this year. Prof. Francis Faduyile, Special Adviser to the governor on Health, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Akure. Faduyile said the confirmed cases were in six local governments of Owo, Akure North, Akure South, Ose, Akoko South-West and Idanre. According to him, Owo has the highest cases of 68, Akure North (13), Akure South (11), Ose(9), Akoko South-West(5) and Idanre (1). “Between Jan. 1 and Jan. 23, we have had 268 suspected cases of Lassa Fever, 106 confirmed cases and unfortunately eight deaths,” Faduyile said. He explained that the prevalent period of the disease was during the dry season and part of the rainy season when farmers were cultivating lands for farming. “The farmers during this period will do a lot of bush burning and when they burn the bush, the rats will move from their natural habitat to a place safer and a lot of them tends to come towards homes in that surrounding. “The first way to prevent Lassa is to stop bush burning, and we have sensitised against this,” he said. Faduyile advised people not put their foods where rats can have access. “We have observed that some of our cultural activities like spreading cassava on the road to dry are harmful because rats can come around eat out of the cassava and drop faeces or urine on it. “Besides, we have observed that our level of hygiene, if it is not well improved, it can attract rats, because rats are scavengers and when there is uneaten food, that is not covered, they tend to come,” he said. Faduyile noted that the government has embarked on advocacy through the local governments and traditional rulers as well as other preventive means to stem the disease. “Every year there is ‘deratification’, that is to kill all the rats, and we have started it this year which has been largely successful. “Also, there have been a lot of advocacy to medical personnel for them to have high index of suspicion for any fever,” he said. Faduyile said the government has improved the state Infectious Disease Hospital, Akure, to a standard that can take care of Lassa fever.
Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji

Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti  has approved the immediate extension of retirement age of teachers in the state,  from 60 years to 65 years and service year raised from 35 to 40 years.

The governor also rewarded outstanding teachers in the state with cash gifts totalling N46 million.

Oyebanji  approved upward review of Science Teachers and Head of Department allowances, as well as immediate payment of 2019 leave bonus arrears to further motivate the teachers.

The governor made these  declarations on Sunday at the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavalion, Ado Ekiti.

Oyebanji, who thanked the teachers for their invaluable contributions to the growth and development of the state, described them as the foundation upon which the future of the state is built.

 He affirmed that the gesture os part of his administration’s efforts to motivate teachers, recognise their immense contributions to the development of education, and enhance their welfare in line with the shared prosperity agenda of his administration.

He explained that  extension of the retirement age is in fulfilment of his promise to reposition the education sector and retain competent and experienced hands in the teaching profession,.

“A committee will be set up to oversee the elongation of the service year and ensure that only the agile individuals enjoy the privilege.”

Oyebanji further assured the teachers that his administration would continue to prioritise their welfare and continue to create an enabling environment for effective teaching and learning.

The governor also informed the gathering that he would be seeking  re-election  and solicited for their continued support.

Earlier in her opening remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Olabimpe Aderiye expressed  gratitude to the governor for his efforts at repositioning the education sector and ensuring  that teachers’ welfare are taken care of.

The commissioner highlighted various efforts of the governor at improving the general well-being of teachers in the state to include, release of over N1.6 billion as running grant to schools in the last three years, and payment of over N6.2 billion as UBEC counterpart fund to ensure renovation of schools in the state.

“The governor also paid  over N1.5 billion for WAEC in the last years of his   administration as well as prompt payment exam fees for students, placement, BECE and SS2 exams among others.”

In their separate goodwill messages, the National President of ASUSS, Mr  Sola Adigun, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), represented by Mr Lateef Adesiyan, and Ekiti State NUT Chairman, Mr  Adedeji Egbeyemi, commended  the governor for his continued demonstration of love and passion for teachers and the  profession.

They also commended the  governor for his significant achievements in the education sector, including  sustenance of free and compulsory education in the state, appointment of retired teachers as political office holders, and massive renovation of schools across the state.

They said the governor also  approved   career progression of graduate teachers, upward review of gratuities paid to retired teachers, employment of 1500 primary school teachers and 2500 secondary school teachers, among others.
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