The Ogun APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has commended members of Yayi Teachers group for their unwavering loyalty, commitment, and grassroots mobilization efforts for his gubernatorial ambition over the years.
He assured the group of educators their support and concerns will not be taken for granted as the drive continues for the realization of the dream of a greater Ogun State.
Senator Adeola gave the assurance during an interactive meeting with Yayi Teachers, a support group comprising teachers from public and private schools, as well as school proprietors across the 20 Local Government Areas of Ogun State.
The meeting, which was facilitated by Hon. Olaseni Koiki, Director General of Caucus 7202, the umbrella body for all Yayi support groups, provided an opportunity for members of the association to engage directly with the Senator, reaffirm their support for his governorship aspiration, and present issues affecting teachers and the education sector in Ogun State.
Speaking during the meeting, the State Coordinator of the association, Comrade Sunday Odunaro, appreciated Senator Adeola for granting the group an audience, noting that members had long desired an opportunity to personally express their admiration and support for him.
According to him, Yayi Teachers has remained steadfast in its support for Senator Adeola since 2021, even when the political landscape was uncertain, because of its belief in his leadership qualities, capacity, and commitment to improving the lives of the people.
Comrade Odunaro disclosed that the group had continued to expand its presence across the state, successfully integrating teachers from various educational institutions into the Yayi Movement through continuous mobilization and engagement.
He further appealed to the Senator for logistical support to aid the activities of the association across Ogun State, particularly the provision of a bus to facilitate movement and coordination. Responding immediately, Senator Adeola promised to provide the requested vehicle.
Comrade Odunaro also assured the Senator that Yayi Teachers would continue to promote his vision and programmes across the state through its active grassroots and media structures. He added that members of the association had remained committed to the movement for years and expressed confidence that their loyalty and sacrifices would not be forgotten.
Members of the association who spoke during the meeting praised Senator Adeola’s numerous empowerment programmes and developmental interventions, noting that his impact has been widely felt across communities despite many members not having previously met him personally.
Speaking on behalf of members, Mr. Taiwo Olusola from Obafemi Owode Local Government described Yayi Teachers as one of the most dedicated support groups within the movement, with active membership spread across public schools, private schools, and school proprietors throughout the state.
He stated that the association possesses a strong grassroots structure capable of mobilizing support across all local government areas whenever the campaign season begins.
The meeting also served as a platform for members to highlight some of the major challenges facing teachers and the education sector.
Among the concerns raised were the implementation of the Teachers’ Peculiar Allowance, improved welfare packages, salary adjustments, school rehabilitation, student discipline, teachers’ safety, and reforms to the Contributory Pension Scheme.
Members noted that the Contributory Pension Scheme remains a major concern among teachers and other public servants, particularly those approaching retirement, and appealed to Senator Adeola to prioritize reforms that would guarantee greater financial security and dignity for retirees.
The women representative of the association commended Senator Adeola’s generosity and commitment to empowering ordinary citizens, describing his interventions as a major source of inspiration to many people across the state.
She appealed for urgent attention to pension-related issues affecting teachers, opportunities for teachers to undertake pilgrimages after years of service, and policies that would protect educators from increasing cases of indiscipline, harassment, and intimidation by students.
The representative also urged the Senator not to relent in his empowerment programmes, noting that his interventions have positively impacted countless individuals, families, and communities across Ogun State.
Members further appealed for greater investment in educational infrastructure, stressing the need to rehabilitate deteriorating school facilities and create a more conducive environment for teaching and learning across the state.
Responding to the various submissions, Senator Adeola expressed appreciation to members of Yayi Teachers for their loyalty, commitment, and sacrifices over the years.
The Senator disclosed that he had consistently followed the activities of the group and was impressed by the courage and dedication demonstrated by members in openly identifying with and promoting the Yayi Movement.
“I have been seeing your activities and support. Whenever I come across members of Yayi Teachers at events, I am always impressed. Today’s meeting is to appreciate you for believing in me, standing with me, and campaigning for me even before the formal commencement of campaigns,” he said.
Describing the gathering as one of the most rewarding meetings he had attended, Senator Adeola praised the consistency and loyalty demonstrated by members of the association, noting that they had remained committed to the movement long before it became politically fashionable.
“You have been with us long before now. You did not give up. Rather, you continued to grow stronger. I appreciate that loyalty and commitment. You are not traditional politicians. You have shown genuine interest in our vision, and I will never take your support for granted,” he stated.
Senator Adeola assured members that all the concerns raised had been carefully noted and would receive the necessary attention.
He reiterated his commitment to making education one of the key pillars of his administration, emphasizing that no society can achieve sustainable development without investing significantly in education and the welfare of teachers.
The Senator further revealed that his administration would place strong emphasis on educational reforms and effective sector management, including the appointment of separate commissioners for Basic Education and Higher Education to ensure focused administration, improved supervision, and better outcomes across the sector.
He noted that the Yayi Movement has grown beyond an individual political aspiration and has become a people-driven movement dedicated to the transformation and development of Ogun State.
Senator Adeola assured members that Ogun State’s resources would be prudently managed and deployed for the benefit of the people while maintaining and improving standards across critical sectors, particularly education.
He further charged members of Yayi Teachers to continue mobilizing support at the grassroots, describing them as strategic stakeholders in the quest to build a more prosperous and inclusive Ogun State.
The highlight of the meeting was the decoration of Senator Adeola, as the Grand Patron of Yayi Teachers in recognition of his contributions to education, empowerment, and human capital development.
