Taiwo Olatunbosun, the state commissioner for information, addressed the press in a statement on Thursday.

Olatunbosun said that the government also spent N11,306,760,012.54 on renovation and construction of facilities in all the 203 public secondary schools under the World Bank supported Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project.

He added that government also paid N6,154,879,897.36 as counterpart fund to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for its 2022, 2023 and 2024 projects in the 927 public primary schools in the state.

The commissioner stated that N16,388,047.77 was spent on procurement of continuous assessment documents for public secondary schools and N174,032,505.00 for instructional materials for primary schools amongst others.

Giving the breakdown of disbursement of running grants since the inception of the governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration, Olatunbosun said the 203 public secondary schools in the state were given N214,479,000.00 for the 2022/2023 session and N235,157,400.00 for 2023/2024 session.

He added that N602,356,500.00 was given for 2024/2025 session, while the primary schools got N101,419,200.00 for 2022/2023, N109,854,900.00 in 2023/2024 and N381,258,000.00 for 2024/2025.

He disclosed that the technical colleges took N6,774,300.00 in 2022/2023, N5,981,400.00 in 2023/2024 and N10,737,000.00 in 2024/2025.

He said three government special schools received N15,407,000.00 monthly as grants for feeding and maintenance.

He highlighted some of government’s interventions in public secondary schools to include renovation of 1,135 classrooms and construction of 83 new classrooms, construction of 419 new toilets and renovation of 277 existing ones, drilled 32 boreholes and rehabilitated eight for improved water access.

Olatunbosun said the government also renovated, furnished and equipped 18 libraries, 105 science laboratories, 67 multi-purpose halls and constructed perimeter fencing of 46 schools while 2,978 units of school furniture and learning materials were procured and distributed.

He urged stakeholders to reciprocate and support the efforts of the government to rapidly develop the state and provide access to inclusive qualitative education in conducive teaching and learning environment for all.

Olatunbosun equally solicited the involvement of the public in protecting public property in their respective areas for proper maintenance and sustainability.

He reiterated the commitment of the present administration to the provision of free, qualitative, and compulsory education for school-age children in the state.

The commissioner for information noted that the state government had invested so much in the sector and “all parties should join hands to protect the investment in order to genuinely achieve the desired goal”.

Olatunbosun said protecting public property like schools would enhance safety and well-being, stressing that well-maintained public property reduces hazards and contributes to a safer environment for residents.

He cautioned principals and head-teachers of public schools to shun corruption and any form of sharp practices.

Olatunbosun stressed that it would be wrong for anybody to misrepresent issues under any guise to possibly attract donations from individuals, group of people, philanthropists or association without consideration to the unjustifiable effect on the image of government.

“All stakeholders share a fundamental responsibility to protect public property due to its importance for development and the well-being of society,” he added.

“This protection can be achieved through awareness, education, and strict enforcement of regulations.

“Please, let’s be guided as culprits would be made to face the full wrath of the law.”