The Ondo State Government has taxed every adult in the state to begin payment of a sum of ₦1,000 annually to fund education sector in the state.
Speaking on Tuesday in Akure during the unveiling the Ondo State Education Endowment Fund (OSEEF), the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Femi Agagu said the State Executive Council through Ministry of Education, Science and Technology worked with the Ministry of Justice and Ondo State House of Assembly to amend OSEEF Law and introduce education levy in the state payable by every taxable adult.
Recall that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu relaunched the state education endowment fund on Wednesday, 21st November, 2018 to expand the funding base of the existing Ondo State Education Endowment Fund.
But according to Agagu, the purpose and rationale of the fund was to provide a pool of financial resources independent of normal government subventions to renovate, rejuvenate and generally upgrade the education system in Ondo state.
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“Accordingly, the fundamental conception is that the fund will have perpetual existence and that all and sundry within Ondo state and beyond will be encouraged and indeed urged to contribute to it according to their abilities and at all times as they feel able to do so.
“Contributions could be once and for all lump sums, or periodic remittances of the standing order type. International and national organizations as well as individuals within and outside Nigeria are welcome and strongly encouraged to contribute to the fund.
“Therefore, every taxable adult, person, individual from age 18 and above in the state is mandated to pay a sum of N1,000 on an annual basis (yearly) for education endowment levy,” he said.
While the Board Chairman, Ondo State Education Endowment Fund, Akinsola Akinfenwa said funding the education sector must be a collective responsibility.
The Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa who also spoke at the launching of the education endowment fund said the issue of education is very important, adding that this fund is meant to support what government is doing as far as the issue of education is concerned.
Tolu Adegbie, the Chairman, ODIRS said it was for every taxable adult and noted that about 1million people are expected to pay the N1,000.
Adegbie said “what we are trying to do is to supplement the government efforts towards supporting the education sector in Ondo state and we expect everyone to contribute to this fund.”
