By OLA AJAYI, Ibadan

Gov. Alao Akala, Oyo State

AS a result of last week ban on Food Vendors in Oyo State public primary and secondary schools by the state government, the women on Monday stormed the State Governement Secretariat to protest the action.

The ban was announced by the Commissioner for Education in the state, Prof. Nureni Adeniran following alleged rumour that some government officials were distributing fetish food to school pupils in order to win the April poll.

The rumour caused panic in Ibadan metropolis with women running to public schools withrawing their wards. But, the state government has debunked the rumour saying it was the handiwork of its political opponents.

Dressed in blue and white apron and armed spoons, they appealed to the state government to review the order as it had taken its toll ont heir business.

Stressing that their job was the only means they feed their families, they described the ban as painful and that it was capable of rendering them financially handicapped.

A woman said, ‘’ there is no way we should be made to suffer for an offence we did not commit. This is the only thing we do to earn our living, if the government stops us from doing our job, how do we cope with our financial responsibilities or is government going to be paying us salaries like government workers?

She added that with the ban, their daily contribution for today(yesterday) had been denied describing it as unfair.

Meanwhile, there was slight improvement in the turn-out of pupils in schools yesterday. Though, many of the pupils were yet to return to schools, the situation improved when compared with last Friday attendance.

The turn out on Monday may have been informed by the call from teachers who appealed to parents to release their wards.