Education
Family decries ruins of Ogedengbe legacies as they suffered neglects from Aregbesola’s govt.
A former Commercial School which was later renamed Ogedengbe School of Science located at Isale General in Ilesa West Local Government, Osun State, Nigeria is now in ruins.
The school which was renamed in the year 2000 to honour the late African warlord and the saviour of the Ijesa people, Ogedengbe Agbogungboro has since been suffering from total neglect from the state government.
Mega Icon Magazine gathered that these schools including Orire Ogedengbe United Primary School, situated along Stadium Road, Ilesa, which was also named after the warlord, should get a lot more attention, since the governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is a native of Ijesaland. But, unfortunately, not much is left at the schools named after the ‘Ijesa Saviour’ to tell the story of the legend other than the ruins and pathetic situation, the legacies suffer.
These abandoned, neglected schools show the parlous, pathetic and deplorable situation of the legacies that could have produced more leaders of tomorrow, great scholars, technologists, medical experts and scientists amongst others.
Welcome to Ogedengbe School of Science, Ilesa housing broken windows, broken furniture, falling roofs, ceilings.
The atmosphere of the only science school in Ilesa aptly represents a war torn environment where horrors of war have been demonstrated. The school housed broken windows, broken furniture, falling roofs, and dilapidated structures including fence which was supported by Bamboo trees. The ugly story was the same in Orire Ogedengbe United Primary School, that was named after the legend.
Grounded school bus with evident of several years of abandonment.
Painfully, there are also no toilet facilities, laboratories, desks and chairs in the school as the only school bus remained grounded with evident of several years of abandonment. Currently, the school hall with soiled ceilings and floor is unbefitting and are now homes for rats and other animals to dwell.
Our reporter who visited the school recently bewildered how these students would cope during scorching sun and heavy downpour of rain as he found all the classrooms in poor condition, with broken doors, windows, scruffy chalkboards. And there were no recreational facilities. Some students were also caught writing an external examination inside the dilapidated school hall since there were no alternatives.
Some students were also caught writing an external examination inside the dilapidated school hall
According to an inside source, one of the teachers in the school who confided in Mega Icon Magazine disclosed that examination bodies have threatened to stop using the school if the school failed to provide a befitting hall for examinations. He stressed further that the government of the day has not been coming to their aide in spite of several calls made to the authorities.
Interestingly, direct opposite of the school is a newly renovated Elementary School by the Aregbesola led Osun State Government. This makes one wonders why the science school and the primary school named after Ogedengbe were deserted and allowed to suffer total neglect by the Ijesa born governor considering its importance even when the governor happens to be a trained engineer.
Newly renovated Elementary School Governor Aregbesola opposite Ogedengbe School of Science, Ilesa.
Our further checks also revealed that some Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) had earlier supported best students in the school in form of scholarships. Subsequent to the total neglect and insensitivity of the Osun State Government, these schools now poses great security risks to students with the defective structures.
Orire Ogedengbe United Primary School, Station Road, Ilesa.
Speaking with our reporter, one of the great grandsons of the late warlord, Mr. Olutayo Ogedengbe while expressing his displeasure over the situation, said in spite of Ogedengbe being a saviour of his kinsmen, he seems to have been forgotten because his legacies are not catered for.
Ogedengbe laments, “I felt very sad because the situation here is not encouraging. No one can learn under this atmosphere, you can see the classrooms. There are a lot to be done here for the children to learn in a conducive environment. When its raining there is nothing one can do to help these pupils. No drinking water, no toilet.
” As a great warrior, Government supposed to be assisting in looking into this, you can see some schools renovated, but nothing of such happened here. We have consulted the government severally but no improvement”. He, however called on the family to come to the rescue of these schools.
Ogedengbe’s tomb remains unmarked
Even when the Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is being perceived as a cultural revivalist who appreciates culture and history, another Ogedengbe’s legacy that has suffered reckless abandonment from his 8 years of sitting on the most exalted seat in Osun State is the Ogendengbe house of war, the Obanla palace.
Ogendengbe house of war, the Obanla palace in ruins
High Chief Oyekanmi Ogedengbe Obanla IV who currently occupies the royal stool of his forefathers flayed the neglect of the Africa’s warlord. He lamented that the contributions of this great idol of Ijesa land have remained unsung and uncelebrated, adding that Ogedengbe Agbogungboro has not been given his deserved honour.
Not only that his grave in the royal house is unmarked, but his valour and gallantry have been relegated to the background and could best be described as a forgotten hero as the Obanla palace housing several war relics and artifacts also remains in shambles. The compound accommodating courtyards and rooms of various sizes had fallen roofs while most of the walls have caved in.
Commenting further on the neglect, the ruling Obanla recalled that in 2010 when the family celebrated 100 years of Ogedengbe’s exit, Osun State Government promised to turn the royal house into a tourist attraction centre/monument, but nothing has come up to redeem this pledge.
At this juncture, the proverbial African word which says : ‘same parentage does not compel compassion, only those sent by God shows compassion’ is apt here, may be the next governor of Osun State after Ogbeni Aregbesola might show interest towards reviving the lost legacies of the African legendary warlord, Ogedengbe Agbogungboro.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced the commencement of its Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CBWASSCE) for private candidates, starting from October 25, 2024.
The examination is set to run until December 20, 2024, according to a statement released by the council on Tuesday.
In a bid to modernise the examination process, WAEC disclosed that the CBWASSCE will be conducted in a hybrid format.
Adesina Fadekemi, the council’s spokesperson, explained that the objective or multiple-choice questions would be displayed onscreen, requiring candidates to submit their responses electronically.
However, for essay and practical questions, while the questions will also be presented digitally, candidates will still provide answers using traditional answer booklets.
Additionally, WAEC has provided an option for candidates who prefer to use the conventional Paper and Pen mode for all exam papers, catering to those not comfortable with the digital format.
The council also extended the registration deadline for the upcoming CBWASSCE to Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
Candidates who miss the registration window can still take advantage of the “Walk-in-Candidate” option, allowing them to register 24 hours before their preferred paper is scheduled.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Dr. Yunus Akintunde, has reaffirmed his commitment to aiding the Federal Polytechnic Ayede in realising its full potential.
Senator Akintunde made this pledge during a courtesy visit to the institution’s temporary site in Iresa-Pupa, Ogbomoso, on Wednesday.
Speaking during the visit, the lawmaker highlighted his passion for contributing to humanity, especially through the advancement of education and skills development.
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“I am part of the polytechnic system. I started at The Polytechnic, Ibadan before going to Lagos State University, Ojoo, Lagos. I’m a lover of knowledge and I am always striving to contribute my quota in the area of education and skills development, among others, and in the legislative assignments as my primary responsibility,” he stated.
The APC chieftain further emphasised his dedication to supporting the Polytechnic and its community, stating that leaders should be driven by a commitment to serving humanity.
He cited the legacy of Hon. Olu Afolabi, a Second Republic House of Representatives member, who was instrumental in establishing the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo.
“Afolabi’s legacy remains evergreen today,” Akintunde remarked, emphasising the importance of creating lasting impacts through public service.
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As part of his developmental projects for the Oyo Central Senatorial District, Akintunde disclosed that he had procured 120 solar-powered boreholes to be installed across the 118 wards of the 11 local governments in his senatorial district, along with 10,000 solar street lights.
He assured the Federal Polytechnic Ayede that some of these solar street lights would be installed within the institution to enhance security and visibility on campus.
Earlier, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Dr. Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, who was represented by the acting Rector and Deputy Rector (Academics), Mr. Azeez Ojo, expressed gratitude to the senator.
The Rector noted that Senator Akintunde had demonstrated a deep commitment to philanthropic causes even before assuming office as a senator.
“You see, it’s a great privilege receiving Distinguished Senator Yunus Akintunde and his entourage on our campus today. Out of your magnanimity, Sir, you have decided to receive us,” Ojo said, acknowledging the senator’s gesture.
“Our Rector is away to Abuja for the progress and development of our Polytechnic. So, on behalf of the Chairman of our Governing Council, Barrister Ademubowale Mercy Adelabu; Rector; other Principal Officers; Deans; Directors; staff, and students, I welcome you and your entourage to Federal Polytechnic Ayede.
“While on Brave FM, you have, before even telling us, announced the gesture of solar lights donated to us. This we appreciate with the whole of our hearts,” he said.
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The Rector assured the lawmaker that his support would be instrumental in the continued growth and development of the fast-expanding institution.
The visit concluded with the Polytechnic community expressing hope for further collaboration with the senator in the areas of educational and infrastructural development.
(c) Mega Icon Magazine
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Bauchi Zone, has raised serious concerns over the mass exit of 30 PhD holders from Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), formerly known as Bauchi State University, citing deteriorating working conditions and inadequate welfare provisions as primary reasons for the exodus.
The worrying development was brought to light during a press conference held by ASUU on Friday, where officials of the union detailed the various challenges faced by academic staff at the institution.
Speaking on behalf of the union, Zonal Coordinator of ASUU Bauchi Zone, Namo Timothy, lamented the lack of proper policies to retain top scholars, pointing out the absence of a formal employee exit policy.
“Many of our best scholars have been forced to seek better opportunities elsewhere,” Timothy said, adding that “SAZU has no pension or death benefit scheme in place, as obtained in the structured public service regulation in the country.”
He further explained that the lack of such provisions leaves academic staff insecure about their future. “Without a pension or death benefit scheme, our members feel unsafe and unsure of their long-term prospects,” Timothy remarked.
In addition to these grievances, the union condemned the university’s administration for its failure to pay over 650 million naira in accumulated entitlements, including earned academic allowances and honorariums for internal examiners. This has further deepened the discontent among staff members.
“Despite the university generating significant revenue from postgraduate programs, our members have not been compensated for their contributions,” Timothy disclosed.
The union also raised concerns over the sharp increase in student fees, coupled with the administration’s neglect of staff training and development.
Timothy criticised the university for imposing over a 100 percent hike in fees for regular undergraduate programmes, yet failing to address staff welfare.
“The university claims it lacks funds to pay our members, yet it continues to impose higher charges on students,” he stated.
ASUU also expressed displeasure with the continued tenure of the current Pro-Chancellor, who has remained in office since the university’s inception.
The union called for adherence to established regulations governing appointments, arguing that the prolonged tenure has stifled accountability and hindered the implementation of progressive policies.
In light of these critical issues, ASUU urged the Bauchi State Government and other stakeholders to take immediate action to address staff welfare, calling for the establishment of a comprehensive exit policy and the payment of overdue allowances.
“Unless these issues are resolved, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony within SAZU,” Timothy warned.
He further called on the state government to declare a state of emergency at the university to ensure that all contentious matters are urgently addressed, securing the future of both academic staff and the institution.
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