By Kehinde Oluwatayo

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The Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Ondo State chapter, Revd Ayo Oladapo has described the decision of the state government to return schools to missionaries as an answered prayer.
The state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had made a pronouncement recently that schools in the state would be returned to the missionaries who are the original owners.
Oladapo while speaking with The Hope on the issue said the request was made at the education summit held in the state four years ago.
The chairman who said returning schools to original owners will be of benefit to both the public and government since it will ensure qualitative education, commended the governor for being proactive in his decision.
“As at the time we made the request during the summit about five years ago, there were some things we discussed and I believe he might have studied those things and saw it was appropriate time to do that.
“It is a welcome development and an answered prayer. We can all attest to the fact that mission schools are one of the best all over the world,” he said.
Expressing the readiness of all the missions that have schools in the state to take them over, Oladapo said several meetings have been held on the issue for the past four years.
“For instance, the National Association of Aquinas Old Students have held meetings with us several times and other institutions like that have been coming together to plan on how to take it over.
“All of them are ready and when the time comes, we will look at how it can be done. Since the governor made the pronouncement, we are yet to sit down with him to look at how it will go and I believe very soon that will happen. By then, we will know what government is suggesting in line with our proposal to them”.
Oladapo who agreed that not all missions have the wherewithal to manage schools noted that emphasis is on moral and qualitative education adding that it will be totally free.
“When people say that some missions may not be able to adequately fund school, that may be correct. Government did not say it will give to everybody. Before it could be released to you, you will have to prove that you have the means to do that”.
“After all, it will be released in phases and government will still monitor it and have input in it. So it is going to be partnership in progress”, he said.