THE President of the Private Education Developers Association of Nigeria (PEDAN), Mr. Festus Babatunde Awodoyin, has given reasons why the group pulled out of the Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED).
Awodoyin, who spoke yesterday in Lagos, alleged that the PEDAN broke away from the AFED because its leadership did not carry the followers along.
He further alleged: “We also pulled out of the AFED because of inequality and imposition of someone as the president
“There was an election which was not free and fair because it was agreed that only financial members were eligible to vote. But during the poll, non-financial members, meaning those who did not pay their membership dues, voted.
“Even there had been maladministration in the AFED before the election, but we tolerated it because we are patient. The poll, which was not free and fair, was the last straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Awodoyin said in the PEDAN, there would be equity, justice and fairness, adding that all members would have a sense of belonging.
Dr. Comfort Ojikutu-Esebamen said she was the chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the AFED when it was founded.
According to her, “we later pulled out of the association because many things went wrong.”
Ojikutu-Esebamenm, a co-founder and member of the BoT of the PEDAN, said: “Our association will be free from rancor, deceit and manipulation. The PEDAN is spread across the six educational districts in Lagos State. We are trying to foster a good relationship with the Ministry of Education.
“The leadership of the PEDAN is law-abiding. We have a people-oriented constitution which will be adhered to. We are not envisaging any break-up.”
The Financial Secretary, Comrade Ademola Faleke, said the PEDAN would be inaugurated on November 6, adding that it will be a pace-setter as its membership is growing daily.