The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Saturday said his administration would commence payment of N30, 000 minimum wage to Ekiti workers this month.
Fayemi said the payment of the minimum wage was to motivate workers, especially teachers to deliver the best to the state and reclaim the lost glory and pride of being the education nerve centre of the country.
The governor made the disclosure at the 2019 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Ado- Ekiti, tasking teachers to strive for the realisation of the bid to return the state to a leading position in education.
He said: “We will commence payment of N30,000 minimum wage to workers in Ekiti with effect from this month. We are determined to reward diligence because the workers, particularly our teachers, have done the state proud.”
The governor reiterated the determination of his administration to protect and preserve the core values of making Ekiti the nation’s education capital, saying he decided to establish more schools in Ado Ekiti to decongest schools in the capital city and make learning environment more conducive.
He said the only way the state could reclaim its lost glory in education “is to encourage our teachers in and outside service. I will promote functional and technical education in this state.”
Fayemi said the ongoing recruitment of over 2000 teachers into the public primary and secondary schools was part of the mission of the administration to safeguard the future of the state.
According to him, the newly recruited 2000 teachers, are to fill consequential vacancies arising from retirement of teachers adding that the teaching profession still needs brilliant, agile and vibrant men and women for the sustenance of the profession in the state.
The governor said: “I have also ensured that all students of school age are in schools in line with education law which makes basic education compulsory and in line with global best practice.
“In this year’s West African Examination Council Senior School Certificate Examination, Ekiti was ranked 12th. I want to salute our teachers, but that is not where Ekiti belongs, we must continually do more to rise to number one”, he said.
He noted that car and housing loans would soon be extended to the primary school teachers, saying names of two tutor-generals would soon be announced.
He said the approval would put teachers on the same pedestal with their civil servant counterparts with potential to rise to the position of permanent secretary.
Fayemi said his administration would continue to pursue the mandate of the National Policy on Education which makes it compulsory for all school age children in Ekiti State.
“I note of course what the chairman of NUT said here about loans being extended to primary schools teachers, and I want to assure you that that will be given very serious consideration. I also want to let you know that government has concluded plans to ensure that we commence the payment of minimum wage of N30,000 with effect from this month.
“Let me state specifically that two new Tutor-Generals appointments have been approved and would be announced in the next week and the third one of course would follow with the retirement of the third Tutor-General.
“On the other request relating to promotion, arrears of salaries and leave bonuses, I want to assure you that we would not renege on our promise and we are doing all we can to set outstanding obligations to all. As I have assured you at my recent meeting with all workers.
“I wish to state emphatically that we are running with the time and vision to ensure delivery of the dividends of democracy to all the good people of Ekiti State. In other words, we will do everything humanly possible not to leave any stone unturned in making life easier and more comfortable for our people both at home and in diaspora.
“The present administration in Ekiti State under my watch is poised, committed and highly determined to restoring, preserving and guiding our core values for posterity.
“May I reiterate at this auspicious moment that, Ekiti State Government will not renege on its promises to pursue free, compulsory, functional, basic, affordable, enterprising, quality, technical and vocational as well as entrepreneurship education.
“This is to ensure that all the school age children in Ekiti State are in school in accordance with the mandate of the National Policy on Education, Universal Basic Education Law and Sustainable Development Goals with Quality Assurance practices and global best practice.”
