A former chairman of Atiba Local Government Area, Oyo State and member, representing Afijio/Atiba/Oyo East/Oyo West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable Akeem Obasegun Adeyemi, has explained the reason for the recent suspension of fees for WAEC examinations and sponsorship of Hajj pilgrimage by the state government, saying that it was due to the recent economic reality facing the state. Adeyemi, who stated this in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, called on the people of the state to be patient and to reason with Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who he described as a visionary administrator and lover of the people, stating that the fact that the government has always sponsored pilgrims and paid for WAEC fees in the past, showed that the decisions were due to the current realities.
According to the lawmaker, the economic condition of the country, which had affected the payment of salaries and other vital aspects of government across states, demanded drastic reduction of cost in government spending, a development which he said, led to the suspension of the pilgrimage sponsorship and WAEC fees payment.
“I am calling on the good people of Oyo State to ignore the sentiments from opposition politicians about the recent decisions to suspend Hajj sponsorship and payment of WAEC fees, the decisions became imperative given the economic condition of the country and everyone can see that cost-cutting measures are being taken by different states and even the Federal Government.”