Exclusive: Gov. Abiodun Summons Education Adviser, Soyombo, Health Commissioner Over N25,000 Covid-19 Test Payment

Gov. Abiodun

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji 

ABEOKUTA - Apparently disgruntled by the rave of public outcry against the outrageous amount slammed on Private Schools Students by the State Ministry of Education, the Ogun state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has summoned the Special Adviser on Basic and Secondary education, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo and the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker to his office this morning. 

A top official in the ministry of education informed that, the governor was angry over the ugly development which has further crippled the popularity of his administration.

She claimed the governor was unaware of the levy on private secondary school students for covid-19 test on the state.

The impeccable source who pleaded anonymity confided in our reporter that, the subsidized N25,000 for covid-19 test by private primary and secondary schools students was solely the decision of the Special Adviser and some top Directors of the Ministry of Education. 

The source further hinted that, payment for treatment of Covid-19 can only be approved at the State Executive Council meeting and such decision should have been announced by the governor himself in his last Thursday update on covid-19. 

"My brother, the governor is not happy about this development at all, most especially when he knew nothing about the said N25,000 charge on secondary school students. 

"How can a reasonable government impose such amount as levy on secondary school students in this current situation when all businesses have been affected due to covid-19. When people of the state can barely eat three square of a meal. It is uncalled for and so unfortunate we are having this kind of situation in the state. 

"But this will be so, because majority of those appointed by the governor are not professionals and grassroots. Soyombo herself, where is she from? These people are just brought in from Lagos and abroad to come and rule without feeling the pains of the people. They believe all fingers are equal and everybody can live the kind of expensive lives they lived. 

Also read: Parents Blast Gov. Abiodun Over N25,000 Payment For Covid-19 Test For Students (Watch Video)

"But I can tell you that, something will be done soonest over the matter as the governor has summoned the Special Adviser on Basic and Secondary Education in the state, Ronke Soyombo and I learnt the Commissioner of Health has also be invited by the governor as well. 

"Maybe after their meeting with the governor this morning, you press guys might be invited for a press conference by governor himself or a press release will be issued by the CPS to the Governor. So, let's wait and see what happen next. Thank you".

It would be recalled that, crisis brewed out in the state on Sunday following the instruction by the state ministry of education directing all secondary school students preparing for WAEC to undergone covid-19 test ahead of reopening of schools on Tuesday, August 4, 2020.

The visibly angry parents in a viral video slammed the state governor and the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker for inflicting more hardship on them following economic downturn as a result of the global pandemic which has affected many businesses to crumble. 

The parents who protested against the government's decision to charge the sum of N25,000 on each student before testing them for covid-19 queried why government would impose levy on students of private schools while their counterparts in public schools were tested free.