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Oyo School Governing Boards (SGBs): Ajimobi’s Masterstroke for Education Revival.
THE recently planted seed of the School Governing Boards (SGBs), an education policy in the education sector, conceived, conceptualized and inaugurated in all the 628 Public Secondary Schools in Oyo state by the Abiola Ajimobi led administration has not only revolutionised the education sector in the state but it has also started yielding positive fruits.
Knowing that education is better driven through the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, the present administration in the state is conscious of the positive contributions of Public Private Partnership (PPP) hence its decision to incorporate the policy into the education sector in the state.
The timely clarion call made by the state’s government to all the stake holders was borne out of the urgent need to restore Oyo state to its glorious years having known that government cannot, alone, bear the burden of an important sector such as education.
The introduction of SGB policy aimed at restoring, transforming and repositioning the education sector in the state has started yielding positive fruits as Old Student’s Associations, Philanthropists, Parent Teacher Associations, Private Companies among others continuously stretched forth their good hands for the betterment of education sector in general and their Alma Mata in particular.
Newly renovated classrooms.
“This will be my fourth time of coming to the school to commission a good gesture like this within a year. In fact, these gestures have demonstrated the commitment and cooperation of Old students that no government can shoulder the responsibilities of education alone. It is this conviction that gave birth to the establishment of the School Governing Boards (SGBs)”.
Governor Abiola Ajimobi who spoke, ecstatically, through his Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela during the official commissioning of the newly renovated staff room, block of eleven classrooms and provision of furniture donated by the 1977 Old Students Association of Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo yesterday also urged other old students across the length and breadth of Oyo state to emulate the good gestures stressing that judging by the fruits which the SGB policy has produced since its introduction, Oyo state will soon reclaim its lost glory.
Similarly, the Commissioner lauded the kind hearted Old Students for their efforts toward contributing to the repositioning of education in the state. He noted that the newly renovated classrooms will not only provide conducive and child friendly environment to the citadel of learning, it will also enhance teaching and learning activities in the school.
Furniture provided by the Old Students Association.
The ex- council boss stressed that qualitative education through provision of required and adequate teaching and learning materials has been a great concern to the present administration, saying it is in this view that, the government has been supplying furniture to schools and has not relented in carrying out series of renovation in schools.
He, however urged the teachers not to relent in their efforts no matter the situation, adding that the teaching profession is a noble one which no financial reward can compensate.
The event had in attendance, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, South West, INEC Commissioner among other dignitaries.
A recent survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has highlighted the severe economic challenges faced by Nigerian households, revealing that two-thirds of the population struggle to afford healthy and nutritious meals. The survey, titled Nigeria General Household Survey – Panel (GHS-Panel) Wave 5 (2023/2024), underscores the worsening multidimensional poverty and the erosion of purchasing power due to the persistent rise in the cost of goods and services.
The report shows that approximately 63.8% of households have been forced to eat only a few kinds of food due to financial constraints. About 62.4% of respondents admitted worrying about food insufficiency, while 60.5% ate less than they thought they should. The situation has deteriorated significantly since the last survey, as the proportion of households expressing food insecurity concerns rose from 36.9% in the previous wave to 62.4% in the current one.
Power Outages and Access to Energy
The survey also sheds light on the nation’s energy crisis, revealing that Nigerian households experience an average of 6.7 power blackouts per week. While 82.2% of urban households have access to electricity, the figure drops to 40.4% in rural areas.
Cooking remains predominantly dependent on traditional methods, with 65% of households using three-stone stoves and 70.2% relying on firewood. However, the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is reportedly increasing.
Sanitation and Asset Ownership
In terms of sanitation, the report highlights that many households still lack basic toilet facilities, relying on bushes or streets for waste disposal. Access to clean drinking water is often through tube wells or boreholes, reflecting a lack of formal infrastructure in many areas.
On asset ownership, the survey indicates a decline since 2018/19. While two-thirds of households own mobile phones, only 21.3% have internet access. Housing ownership remains significant, with 70.4% of households owning their homes—80.1% in rural areas compared to 49.1% in urban centers.
The NBS report provides a stark reminder of the challenges many Nigerians face daily, from food insecurity and power outages to inadequate sanitation and declining asset ownership. It calls for urgent policy interventions to address these critical issues and improve the living standards of the population.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
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