I will pay arrears of primary school teachers within 6 months – AAC gubernatorial candidate

The gubernatorial candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Oyo state, Engineer Akinwale Omololu Laosun, on Thursday promised that if he is elected as governor of the state, he will pay arrears of salaries, pensions and gratuities of primary school teachers in the state within six months.

Akinosun, who made the promise while speaking with journalists at the AAC office in Oke Dada area of Ibadan, added that there is a need to pay attention to the welfare of teachers because the future of the education sector lies in their hands.

“We need world  class teachers to produce world class students and to attain that, we need to produce a conducive environment for the teachers to work in and give them quality training. Also, we will pay them on time and give incentives to teachers posted to rural areas.

He added that Oyo state has a bright future if the right leaders are elected, adding that what the country needs is visionary leaders who have the political will to do the right thing. “Nigeria lacks visionary leaders who have political will to do the right thing. Previous leaders know what is right but have no political will to pursue it for reasons best known  to them.

“Political connections should not be a basis for giving people opportunities, godfatherism is a menace and my party does not believe in it. We should not focus on capital projects that add no value to the people but on projects that will make life better for the people and bring money into the state, not the coffers of foreigners,” Laosun stated.

He further said that the problem with Nigeria is from the foundation  and goes beyond what people think, urging people not to sell their votes, he further cautioned the people against apathy on election day, adding that they should not let the disappointment of last Saturday’s election postponement affect their enthusiasm.

“The major problem Nigeria has is poor educational system; not the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), or political parties. The educational system regressed in the last 30 years and it continues to do so; we promise quality and free education at the primary and secondary school level and affordable education at the tertiary level.

“We will develop youths and train them to curb unemployment while we will develop sport especially our football clubs in Oyo state like Shooting Stars and Crown Football Clubs  that have all gone comatose. I urge people not to sell their votes; don’t compromise your citizenship and come out en masse to vote. Rigging is difficult if we all come out to vote, so come out and vote.

“If we do this, we are on the path of success to build a country that future generations can be proud of. I believe INEC will not be partisan and will conduct a free and fair elections, so our people need to come out and vote,” Laosun stated.