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Education stakeholders laud Oyo’s SGB policy
THE newly launched education policy by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State dubbed “School Governing Board (SGB) has been greeted with commendations from stakeholders in the sector, describing it as a step in the right direction towards revitalising education system.
The Board, aimed at restoring, transforming and repositioning the education sector was recently inaugurated in all the 628 Public Secondary Schools in Oyo state.
Speaking at the monthly stakeholders meeting held on Friday at the Conference room, Ministry of Education, Agodi Government Secretariat, Ibadan, the state Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Niyi Akano noted that the policy has not only provided conducive and child friendly environment, but will also enhance teaching and learning activities in the schools.
“We thank the government for introducing the SGB. We have been seeing the impacts. We pray that this should be extended to primary schools”.
Corroborating him, the Secretary, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Pastor Olujide Babajide paid a glowing tribute to the governor for the initiative taken to introduce SGB.
Pastor Olujide stressed, ” prior to the introduction of SGB, management and administration of public secondary school in the state was very difficult, provision of facilities were not forthcoming.
“But since the introduction of the SGB, the schools have been experiencing a great relief in terms of provision of finance. So far so good, since the program started, a lot of renovations have taken place.
The ANCOPSS’s Secretary averred that the government’s policy encourages partnership with the public and community, adding that it has encouraged active participation of the old students, philanthropists in uplifting the educational standard and rebuilding schools.
Also, he lauded the “No Automatic Promotion’ policy recently enforced by the state government, saying it has strengthened the capacity of the students. Students have adjusted, they are now more focused, sitting and attending classes regularly”.
Earlier in his address, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela explained that the present administration has not relented in carrying out series of renovation in schools, adding that the government will commence renovation of 100 secondary schools across the 33 local government areas in the state based on needs and strategic locations.
The positive results of SGB policy, according to Olowofela has demonstrated the commitment and cooperation of old students, parents, philanthropists that no government can shoulder the responsibilities of education alone.
” It is this conviction that gave birth to the establishment of the School Governing Board (SGB)”, the commissioner noted.
He, however assured that the collaborative efforts between the government and stakeholders in the education sector will restore its lost glory.
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.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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