Ekiti to investigate involvement of teachers in partisan politics, punish culprits

The Ekiti State Government on Thursday set up a five-man Special Committee to look into the alleged involvement of some public school teachers in partisan politics.
The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Jide Egunjobi, said civil servants and teachers had been warned against engaging in partisan politics.
Egunjobi said recalcitrant public officers would be flushed out in order to maintain an acceptable level of neutrality and efficiency in the public service.
He said Governor Ayo Fayose had on many occasions advised teachers to be focused on sustaining the standard attained in both national and West African examinations in 2016 and not to dabble into politics.
He assured that government would always make welfare of its diligent workforce a priority, urging all stakeholders to support efforts at improving the lot of the people.
He emphasised that dedication to duty and loyalty should be their watchwords.
The committee, which was given only seven days within which to submit its report, has serving and retired bureaucrats and teachers as members, with Deji Odutola as Chairman.
Other members are Akin Olowojebutu, Eunice Oladimeji, Samuel Daramola and Adebayo Babalola.
The commissioner announced the death of its Headmaster-General, Eyiyemi Talabi.
Egunjobi, along with Nigerian Union of Teachers and Association of Primary School Head-teachers of Nigeria eulogized the deceased, describing her as a dedicated and loyal teacher worthy of emulation.
He assured that government would actively participate in the burial Talabi in recognition of her contribution to primary education in the state.
The commissioner prayed that God would give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss adding that they should take solace in the fact that she lived a worthy life.
Talabi was appointed Headmaster-General in 2015 by Fayose.
She was given a car for outstanding contributions to the development of education in the state.
She also received many other awards at both the state and national levels, including Outstanding Teachers Award by the Federal Government in 2009, as well as a replica award from the state the same year.