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COPE Africa Honours Oyo Ex -Commissioner, Olowofela With SGB Icon Award

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THE immediate past commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology in Oyo state, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela has been recognised and honoured by the Centre for Organizational And Professional Ethnics (COPE-AFRICA) with SGB Icon award.

Speaking at the award ceremony on Monday which was held at the Lekan Are Hall, Government College Ibadan, the Chairman, COPE AFRICA, a UNDP consultant, Dr Adeyeye Adewole informed that the Centre deemed it fit to honour Olowofela due to his creative ideas, passion for development, innovative solutions to recurring problems in secondary sub-sector which led to the School Governing Board (SGB) initiative.

The Associate Professor, Adeyeye said from the onset the School Governing Boards (SGBs) initiative was one of the best thing that has happened to Oyo state in recent time. According to him, “every secondary schools across Oyo state is now being piloted by a governing council that work assiduously to enhance quality of administration; institute better policy directions; push for innovative practices and adopt creative solutions to specific problems and more importantly attract massive infrastructure and growth.

“In 2018 alone, the monetary worth of the quantum of infrastructure and other resources have been injected into Oyo State Secondary School system through the ingenuity of SGB is over N2billion. Many Schools are now experiencing phenomenal growth and infrastructure transformation through creative approach propelled outside the regular and mostly inadequate government provisions. On this special note, we commend the Oyo State School Governing Boards (SGBs) for this towering feat. We also commend the Chairmen and respected members of School Governing Boards (SGBs) across Oyo State for commitment in their services to humanity as well as implementation of legacy projects that has helped to reposition secondary education sub -sector for the benefits of unborn generation”, he added.

The COPE AFRICA chair further appreciated the Abiola Ajimobi led administration for this initiative ” that  has become the toast of many states across Nigeria”.

In his remarks, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela, while expressing gratitude to Governor Ajimobi for the opportunity given to serve explained, “when we started the School Governing Board (SGB) system, we have to do advocacy. We moved throughout the entire education zone in the state to do training upon training for people and we thank God that today the School Governing Board (SGB) system is well understood. And as a dynamic system, definitely there will be improvement, so as you are moving forward using the template of the manual, we belief strongly that we will ultimately reach the peak as far as the best practices in education are concerned.

” I also want to congratulate you because Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN Commission), look at the School Governing Board system and they have adopted it as a policy for the entire Southwest of Nigeria. When they told me that they will be giving me award as ICON for School Governing Board, to me this is a collective award, its not a token of recognition of your efforts, especially all the members of the School Governing Board that are not taking one kobo for their service.

“But I know that it gladdens their hearts that they are contributing immensely to education in the state and it has also afforded them the opportunity to change the paradigm in the state. It is easy to criticize, it is even easy to condemn government, but what are your contributions to make sure that Nigeria and Oyo state change from what it used to be to where we are supposed to be? So, I thank you for your support, especially when it is selfless.

” Let me also say that we have to commend the secretaries of the School Governing Board, those that are the principals of the schools. They are the ones that are there every now and then to know the problems facing a particular school system and we know that they have been judiciously and wisely spending the funds in conjunction with the members of the board, money accrue or accruable to the school either through education development levy or by some direct supports from old students or community at large in moving education forward in the state.

“It also gladdens my heart that the intervention fund of SUBEB; as at the last time we had it was 2012 but as at today, Oyo State Government has been able to access, even up to 2018. The simple implication is that this will also affect our primary education positively. When you also see that the statistics and the job done by the Ministry of Education and all education stakeholders led to the fact that the discovery of out of school children in the state.

“Based on the policy paper written by these gentlemen in various ministries, Oyo State Government has secured the sum of $500m to tackle the issue of out of school children in the next five years. This is a project that will outlived this government and that’s how a good government must think, you must think beyond immediate, you must think about the future.

“Essentially this project is inter ministerial in approach, it may be resident in the ministry of education, but everybody must participate in it because each child counts as far as education is concern.

“When you want to destroy a nation, destroy the education of that nation and when you want to build a nation build the education of that nation”, Olowofela continued.

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Oyo South: Oseni Approves N100m for Ibadan Community Road Rehabilitation

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has approved N100 million for the immediate rehabilitation of a major access road linking seven communities in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, announced the intervention on Saturday at a town hall meeting with residents and community leaders from Power Line, Awonsoso, Siba, Olupoyi, Balogun, Baba Agba and Agaloke communities.

‎The lawmaker said the decision followed a request by the community stakeholders, who identified the poor condition of the road as their most pressing need. He assured the residents that the rehabilitation would be completed within four months.

‎Oseni said the intervention was part of his commitment to people-centred representation, stressing that his legislative activities had been focused on issues capable of improving the lives of Nigerians.

He said, “Within the three years plus, I have sponsored bills and moved motions that are carefully designed to positively impact the lives and livelihoods of citizens.”

According to him, some of the legislative initiatives include moves to amend the Federal Medical Centres Act to establish a Federal Medical Centre in Ido Local Government Area, stronger sanctions for contractors who fail to execute government projects according to specifications, and measures to improve accountability in the management of public contracts.

Oseni added that he had also advocated subsidised farm machinery for farmers, measures to reduce the cost of cancer treatment, improved food storage through modern silos and processing facilities, as well as urgent action on flooding and recurring building collapses in major cities among several others.

‎The lawmaker said his engagements with communities across Oyo South should not be viewed solely through the prism of the 2027 elections, despite the commencement of political activities.

“My visit here today is not to solicit for votes, but to listen and find practical ways to attend to the requests and plights of my people,” he said.

‎Oseni also disclosed that he had facilitated the distribution of 31 transformers across Ido and Ibarapa, with about 80 per cent of the cost funded through his foundation. He added that  other interventions had included solar-powered street lights, boreholes, bridges, public toilets, educational support,  infrastructure, health care services,  youth and women empowerment, and assistance to artisans, traders and markets across the senatorial district.

The APC chieftain further noted that some youths had also received N1 million each as seed capital to start small businesses.

‎Oseni acknowledged that his primary responsibility as a federal lawmaker was to make laws and provide effective representation, but said the gap created by ineffective governance at the grassroots had made it necessary for him to support communities through interventions.

He urged youths to remain focused and resilient, recounting how he worked as a bus conductor to raise money for his secondary education before becoming an engineer, businessman and legislator.

Earlier,  Chief Muibi Adegoke, Baale of Awonsoso, and Chief Azeez Saka, Baale of Elere Apata, commended the lawmaker for what they described as his performance in legislation and community development. They pledged their support for his political aspiration ahead of the 2027 election.

‎The meeting was attended by traditional rulers, religious leaders, community elders, women and youth leaders from the affected communities.

(c) Mega Icon Magazine 

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Oyo APC Guber Candidate, Alli, Celebrates Archbishop Wale Oke at 70

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the 2027 Oyo State election, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has congratulated the Archbishop of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Francis Wale Oke, on his 70th birthday.

Alli, in a statement on Tuesday, described the cleric as one of the foremost spiritual leaders produced by Ibadan, saying his contributions to the spread of Christianity had brought honour to Oyo State and impacted lives beyond Nigeria.

The senator described Oke as a “kingdom general” whose leadership and commitment to the gospel had positively influenced communities and nations across the world.

He said, “On behalf of my family and the APC family in Oyo State, I warmly congratulate one of our state’s most illustrious figures, Archbishop Francis Wale Oke, as he marks the landmark age of 70 years today.

“I join millions of Nigerians in celebrating a generational leader, a reformer and a dependable voice for peace and national development. Your dedication over the last five decades to destiny moulding, spiritual upliftment and the expansion of the Christian faith is unparalleled.”

Alli also commended the archbishop’s leadership qualities and his achievements in various capacities, particularly as the National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

The APC candidate noted that Oke’s influence extended beyond the pulpit, describing his years of service as a testament to his commitment to spiritual development and nation-building.

He prayed for continued grace, good health and many more years of fruitful service for the celebrant.

“As you continue to expand the Kingdom and impact destinies, I pray for renewed grace, robust health and many more fruitful years. Ibadan and Oyo State are immensely proud to have you,” Alli added.

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Oyo: Oseni Donates 500KVA Transformer, N10m to Baptist Conference

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has donated a 500KVA transformer and N10 million in support of the 14th Annual Conference of the Ibadan Baptist Conference.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, made the donations on Tuesday while addressing participants at the conference, which was held under the theme, “By His Spirit.”

Speaking at the event, Oseni, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), expressed appreciation to the leadership and members of the Baptist Conference for giving him the opportunity to address the gathering. He commended the church for its contributions to the spread of the gospel and its impact on education, humanitarian services and other areas of human development.

The lawmaker said the challenges facing society could not be overcome through human efforts alone, stressing the need for divine guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Our efforts are important, but human efforts alone are not enough. We need the direction of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us in our individual lives and in the affairs of our communities,” he said.

Oseni urged the congregation to combine faith with responsible action, saying lasting transformation could only be achieved when individuals and communities sought divine direction while taking practical steps to address their challenges.

He also encouraged Christians to take greater interest in politics and governance, noting that everyone votes remained an important instrument for determining the quality of leadership in the country.

According to him, “Votes count in Nigeria. Therefore, Christians must not remain on the sidelines. We must participate in politics, contribute ideas and collectively seek solutions to the challenges confronting our society. Governance is about the people and the delivery of services that improve their lives.”

The Oyo South senatorial candidate also solicited support for President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates, saying leaders should be judged by their commitment to serving the people. He said the participation of responsible citizens in politics was necessary to promote good governance and ensure that public offices were used for the benefit of the people.

Quoting Proverbs 29:2, Oseni said, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.” He added that such rejoicing should be reflected in improved quality of representation, education, electricity, potable water, empowerment, healthcare, security, infrastructure, economic opportunities and good governance.

He said, “When the people have quality representation and can see the impact of government in their daily lives, that is when they will truly rejoice. Our people deserve access to good education, healthcare, potable water, electricity, security, infrastructure and opportunities to improve their livelihoods.”

Oseni further urged the congregation to remain united and continue to pray for the country and its leaders, particularly those entrusted with public responsibilities. He appealed to leaders at all levels to always seek wisdom and do what was right in the interest of the people, while assuring the people of his continued commitment to quality representation and service to humanity.

In his remarks, the President of the Ibadan Baptist Conference, Rev. Oyekola Bamidele, commended Oseni for his performance in office and his commitment to humanity.

Oyekola described the lawmaker as “one of our own,” acknowledging his contributions to the development and wellbeing of the people.

The Conference President subsequently invited church leaders, elders and members of the congregation to join him in prayers for Oseni, committing his leadership and future political ambition into the hands of God.

 

(C) Mega Icon Magazine 

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