Oyo Orders Closure Of Schools In Iseyin

To avert a religious crisis in Iseyin Local Government Area, the Oyo State Government on Monday ordered the closure of all public primary and secondary schools in the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that schools in the state resumed for the second term on Monday.

NAN also reports that the Ministry of Education had on Sunday announced on the state-owned electronic media that students in the area should stay away from their schools indefinitely.

NAN gathered that the indefinite closure was a preemptive strategy to prevent a clash between students of two religious faiths over mode of dressing.

The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Yusuph Saheed, said that the
directive of the government was necessary to forestall crisis in the ancient town and its environs.

“The state government is very proactive and sensitive to religious matters; that is why the announcement of the closure was made.

“As it is now, we are working round the clock to return our students to class as soon as possible.

“Security of lives and property is very paramount and important to the government, but I can assure you that the matter would be settled amicably soon,” Saheed said.

A NAN correspondent, who visited some schools in Ado-Awaye, Osoogun, Wasinmi and Igbolasa, reports that they were all deserted.

Some students were, however, sighted playing football on major streets of communities in the council area.