Under the administration of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in Ondo State, solid foundation for quality and sustainable education is being laid to henceforth ensure that the future leaders i.e the younger ones, are well groomed and positioned for better lives.
During electioneering as governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress in 2016, Akeredolu, with the knowledge of education situation in the state, had made provision of functional education and technological growth one of the five cardinals of his government when elected. He has, however, not deviated from the path.
Painting the picture of the state of education in the country and indeed as inherited by his administration in Ondo State, the governor had lamented that failure of the curricula to address the challenges encountered by the society, had reduced education to what it is in most societies today.
According to him, this is “a deplorable process which, regrettably, culminates in the award of varying shades of certificates to individuals who lack capacity to apply knowledge to solve problems, adding: “You will all agree with me that this system is not only unprofitable, but it is also, disappointingly, almost useless. We continue to churn out an ever-increasing army of ill-trained and, ultimately, confused youth.
“This frustration, arising, largely, from lack of capacity to appreciate issues, soon finds expression in unwarranted display of misplaced aggression. A system which depends, almost irretrievably, on external elements for its development is doomed. A society which is laden with ill-educated citizens cannot aspire, realistically, to develop,” the governor said.
As a way out, Akeredolu suggested that “if development is about the people who live in a given environment, our system of training must represent a proximate reflection of the yearnings and aspirations towards advancement. These expectations must be specific and localized. The education of citizens must be functional for justification of societal aspirations”.
The moves which the governor has made in the education sector of the economy in his first year in office are telltale signs of his conviction that “unless we take the issue of education seriously, our quest for development will not only be unrealizable but, regrettably, laughable”.
The steps include Midas touch on some schools including St Jude’s Primary School, Obinehin; Don Bosco School, Ondo; St Andrew’s Primary School, Elegbeka and Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) among others which have witnessed construction and rehabilitation works.
These are in addition to the convocation of education summit and setting up of visitation panels on the four tertiary institutions in the state – Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA); OSUSTECH, Okitipupa; University of Medical Sciences, Ondo (UNIMED); and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO).
Akeredolu, who breathed life into the four tertiary institutions with the inauguration on March 13, 2018 of their Governing Councils, said: “It is our expectation that all the Governing Councils will give the desired directions and develop appropriate policies that will ensure academic excellence in the institutions”.
The occasion was carnival-like as who is who in the academic world and egg-heads in the state gathered at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome), Akure to witness the event which they were persuaded will reposition tertiary education in the state especially with the caliber of people appointed into the four governing councils.
The conviction of the people of Ondo State with the coming on board of the Governing Councils of the four tertiary institutions is that the time for exploits has come in the institutions as individuals on the same page with the governor in ensuring academic excellence in the citadels of learning are now settling down to business.
People’s expectations from the governing councils are high – their schools should not remain same! They are expected to implement the recommendations of the Education Summit; study and implement the report of the visitation panels to their respective institutions.
For the people, it is now time for excellent students’ academic performance, improved quality of instruction, funding for researches; conducive environment for lecturers, constant exchange programmes, improved welfare for students, infrastructures development and right working environment for workers.
Ondo State people are desirous of students and products of the four state-owned institutions to be at par with their peers anywhere in the world and improved ranking for the institutions.
Persuaded that education is capital intensive, the people are also expecting the Governing Councils to move into action so that tuitions that will make quality education available at the doorsteps of the ordinary people are in place in addition to creative ways of generating funds to take the institutions to higher heights.
In addition, there are expectations that the governing councils and the university community should research into the immediate and remote environments of their respective institutions with a view to establishing revenue-generating ventures that will provide needed products and services.
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Femi Agagu, in his welcome address, described inauguration of the governing councils as an event that touched the very foundation of the socio-economic development of the state, adding that Governor Akeredolu had made education one of the cardinal areas of his administration.
Agagu said: “On assumption of office, Mr Governor made education one of the cardinal areas of focus of this administration. He did not only develop a comprehensive blueprint, he also convoked a multi-stakeholder Education Summit to address the challenges of the education sector of our state.
“Mr Governor went further to set up Visitation Panels on all the four tertiary institutions in order to unravel their challenges and proffer lasting solutions to them. I am confident that the recommendations of the Education Summit and the Reports of the Visitation Panels will be of immense relevance to the governing councils as they settle down for the task ahead,” the commissioner said.
In his address, Akeredolu said the chairman and members of the governing councils “had been appointed to avail the citadels of learning your credible wealth of experience garnered over the years in your different careers and endeavours. It is expected that your activities, in a short while, will make our institutions beacons of hope and centres of excellence of international standard.
“You are required to discharge your responsibilities without fear. You are to shun primordial prejudices and bitter recriminations which militate against development. Accountability and transparency should be your cardinal principles”.
The governor admonished them to impact positively on the institutions by “improving the funding through endowment, grants and supports from both within and outside the country to finance programmes and execute more developmental projects in the institutions; and ensuring improvement in the academic standard of the institutions.
The governor also advised the councils to “ensure that admission into all programmes in the institutions are carried out in line with the laid down guidelines and regulations; and ensure that appointments, recruitments and promotion of staff are conducted as appropriate”.
He said: “Chairmen and members, let me remind you of the need to always lead by example and protect the rights of all in the academic communities, irrespective of their professional, ethnic, religious or political affiliations. You should also ensure fairness in the recruitment of staff and respect the rule of law, and, at all times, follow due process in handling administrative issues.
“There is no doubt that the challenges and public expectations are indeed enormous. But let me assure all the members that the Government will continue to support these institutions to actualize the vision of making these institutions 21st Century institutions. We shall provide all necessary support to enhance your performance.
“It is our expectation that all the Governing Councils will give the desired directions and develop appropriate policies that will ensure academic excellence in these institutions. Your personalities convince us that you will not meddle, unnecessarily, in the administration of their various institutions.
“I also urge the Council members to evolve new strategies to further complement the efforts of the State Government, immediate past councils and the management of the institutions at making these three Universities and our Polytechnic the best in Nigeria. They should also be bold to jettison all practices and predilections towards profligacy and brazen corruption”.
According to the governor, constitution of the Governing Councils is in line with his administration’s determination to restructure the education sector for positive contributions to the society, adding: “We cannot sustain an attitude which treats issues affecting the development of our youth with levity. We will be courageous in dealing with all identified problems militating against the development in the sector.
“Visitation Panels were empaneled to look into matters affecting progress in these tertiary institutions. This administration will implement, faithfully, all recommendations which will assist in the realization of the lofty objectives. The ultimate purpose for this action was premised on the need to reinvigorate and inject virility into quality service delivery institutions that would make our children compete, favourably, in a progressively challenging and dynamic world”.
The governor, who said members of the Visitation Panels brought their robust wealth of experience to bear and came up with all-encompassing and resourceful reports, added that “constitution of the Governing Councils should be a precursor to the implementation of the resourceful recommendations and observations catalogued in the reports of the Visitation Panels.
“The Governing Councils are, statutorily, veritable channels for implementing the bulk of the recommendations in the various reports. The Administration is, unflinchingly, poised to putting State-owned institutions on an enviable pedestal despite all visible odds and clogs in the wheel of their operations,” Governor Akeredolu said.
Abayomi, who spoke on behalf of the chairmen and members of the governing councils, said the event was demonstration of the Akeredolu government’s readiness to work for the people.
The AAUA Governing Council chairman, who called on all to work for the greatness of Ondo State, canvassed support of the people for the governing councils and the state government.
He said: “Things get bad when people refuse to make sacrifices. Things will get better because we are making a covenant to make Ondo State people have befitting education. Today, we begin a duty, a journey to the greatness of Ondo State youths”.
Members of the Governing Council for Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko are Dr Tunji Abayomi (Pro-chancellor/Chairman); Prof Wole Akeredolu; Princess Dupe Adetuwo; Mr Wale Gbakinro; Arc Tosin Ale; Mr Sam Erejuwa; Engr Remi Osiberu; Mrs Ibim Semeteri; Dr Ibrahim Eneye; Dr Emmanuel Onyeama; Special Adviser on Education; and Commissioners for Education; Finance; and Economic Planning.
Those of University of Medical Sciences, Ondo are Dr Tayo Fawehinmi (Pro-chancellor/Chairman); Prof Tolu Odugbemi; Chief Adetola Wewe; Dr Adeluse Obe; Mr Tolu Fadahunsi; Surv Niran Akinniyi; Chief Isaac Akintade; Dr Yemi Mahmud; Special Adviser on Health; and Commissioners for Education; and Health.
For Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, the Governing Council members are Prof Akinbo Adesomoju (Pro-Chancellor/Chairman); Prof segun Adegbulugbe; Prof Michael Faborode; mr Foluso Aminu; Chief Ola Iwaeni; Chief Rotimi Ibidapo; Dr Festus Adejuyite; Prince Jimi Odimayo; Mrs Pipeola Ikotun; Secretary to State Government; and Commissioners for finance; and Education.
And those of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo are Chief Banji Alabi (Chairman); Engr Femi Adeyemi; Gen Joshua Omosebi (retd); Chief Olaide Adelami; Mr Deolu Ijose; Mrs Olufunke Agagu; Otunba Andrew Aroloye; Mr Jide Ipinsagba; Mrs Bosede Osunmakinwa; and Permanent Secretaries, Education; Finance; Works; Establishment; and Lands.