*Family rancour stopped the return — GOVT

By Monsur Olowoopejo

Lagos—Ninety one-year-old owner of Metropolitan School, Isolo, Madam Roseline Ololo, yesterday stormed the office of the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode over continued withholding of her schools by the government.

Ololo, who defied the light morning shower, picketed the office of the governor to express her dissatisfaction over non-return of her schools 15 years after it handed over others to their owners.

But government promptly replied that the schools were not returned because of the rancour within the family as at the time other schools were returned.

In 1976, via the Education (Private Secondary Institutions Special Provisions) Law, the Military Government of Lagos State took over 48 Private Secondary Schools from their owners, including Metropolitan College. In the process, Isolo Secondary School was carved out of Metropolitan College on the same expanse of land hosting the college.

The nonagenarian, who was accompanied by other sympathizers was armed with placards which read among others: “Your Excellency, please help me. The Lagos State Government should obey the law and release the school. Ambode do justice; Bring Back our school.”

At the entrance of the Ministry of Education where the protesters commenced their protest, there was a mild drama between the government officials and the protesters who demanded that the issue be resolved immediately.

Speaking at the scene, Ololo lamented “I do not know why they have continued to withhold my school because I did not steal money. My late husband and I established the school with our legitimate money. If not tribalism, why are they yet to return my school.

“I wouldn’t be here today if the government had acted on my demands. At my age, I should not be passing through this stress.

‘Why we didn’t return the school 15 years ago’

Addressing the protesters at the State House, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Olabisi Ariyo said; “There was rancour within the family. They were fighting over the property. And that was why the school was not returned 15 years ago when others were. It was after they resolved the issue that government is now having issues with them. The delay in the handling over the school to the Ololo was caused by them.”

The permanent secretary however assured the protesters that; “We will resolve the issue on Wednesday. We don’t want the issue of tribe to come into this issue. Irrespective of your tribe, we are all Nigerians. We will treat everyone fairly.”

Ariyo said that government is already looking into the issue and that process would be fast-tracked in order to ensure amicable solution.
She said that government will accord justice and fairness to Lagosians regardless of their religious or ethnic background adding that government is mindful of the age and health of the proprietress and will do everything possible to be fair.