A former commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Oyo state, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela has commended the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for reintroducing the School Governing Boards’ policy (SGBs) initiated by the immediate past administration led by late Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Olowofela made this remark at the reunion event organized by the Old Students Association of United Christian Secondary School, (UCSS) Omi-Adio, his alma mata on Saturday in Ibadan, the state capital, lauding the contributions of the SGBs to the development of education in the state.
The former commissioner recalled that the Abiola Ajimobi-led government inaugurated the School Governing Boards, (SGBs) in all the Public Secondary Schools in the state, having realised that no government can shoulder the responsibilities of education alone.
He added that the board aimed at restoring, transforming and repositioning the education sector at the time enjoyed the commitment and cooperation of old students, parents, Philanthropists across the state.
Recalled that the present administration in a circular letter dated 11th May, 2021 announced the dissolution of the six hundred and forty-three (643) Governing Boards in public secondary schools in the state, directing the principals to ensure that all schools’ materials in the Board’s custody were handed over to the school authority before their departure.
Meanwhile, the state’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Abiodun Abdulraheem while featuring on a private radio programme recently in Ibadan announced that the School Management Board (SGB) model will be re-introduced back in schools for effective administration in the schools.
Reacting to the latest development, Olowofela described the reintroduction of the policy initially abolished by the current administration as a very good step.
“Recently the School Governing Board (SGBs) Education policy was abolished by Governor Seyi Makinde, but it has also been reinstated in all the schools. This is a very good and commendable achievement by both the past government and government of the day”, he said.
The ex-council boss, also applauded Governor Makinde for revisiting the Independent Power Project (IPP) template originally conceived by the Abiola Ajimobi- led government
“I equally want to state that just before we left government we set up a committee on Independent Power Project (IPP) for some places in Oyo state, I am glad that the template has been revisited and the government of the day has decided to have independent power project in some sectors in the state.
“It is not a new idea but an idea which was initiated by the Ajimobi- led government”, he added.
He, however noted that with its present configuration and implementation, the project may not be sustainable without partnership, saying “asides generating power to government’s facilities, government must ensure that power is sold to other private enterprise to generate revenue which would take care of maintenance, including salaries of those who are working with the IPP”.
Olowofela urged the state government to mandate the recitation of the Yoruba poem – Ise Logun ise (Work is the antidote for poverty) in all the schools so that the students will know the philosophical basis for growth and development for hard work.
“When I was the commissioner for education in the state, we insisted that all schools in Oyo state must recite every morning “Ise Logun ise, and we are glad that it was done that time. I want to implore the government of the day that they should reenforce it so that our children , the students of the state will know the philosophical basis for growth and development for hard work”, he said.
The Commissioner representing Oyo state at the Federal Character Commission (FCC), however charged parents and guardians on the need to institute discipline in their children and wards by giving them the right counseling so that they do not become the devil advocate.
