Oyo  Education Trust Fund : An Undeniable Miraculous Legacy

Qualitative education through the provision of the required, adequate teaching and learning facilities has been a great concern to the Abiola Ajimobi led administration in Oyo state, thus; the government lent out her hands of partnership through the Education Trust Fund (ETF) by inviting stakeholders  to contribute their quotas to the development of education sector in the state.

Government Technical College, Saki

(L-R) Executive Secretary, Oyo ETF, Mrs Fatoki, Chairperson, Oyo ETF, Chief Nike Akande, Oyo state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela and Principal GTC, Orita Aperin during an inspection tour to the College

Governor Ajimobi further emphasized that the initiative is meant to enable the state to acquire world class facilities and harness resources that would bring the kind of difference that really matters in the sector, adding that the policy will go a long way in improving the standard of education, service delivery and generate funds from government and private bodies towards financing the sector.

Though, most sceptics did not initially understand the highly cerebral governor, but he strongly shares view with the former first lady of the United States of America, Rosalynn Carter which she expressed thus; “a leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be”.

Justifying the governor’s vision, his efforts to rebuild the education sector with funds pooled from the public and  private sources has started improving the standard of education in the state.

Government Technical College, Orita Aperin, Ibadan

As a good manager of resources who is in tune with the challenges associated with management system and leadership, the governor specifically searched and settled for  an accountant and investment expert, a two-time Minister of Industry, a director of many companies with a proven track record,  Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande to chair the  Oyo State Education Trust Fund (ETF) so that the Board can function optimally, in accordance with its mission statement.

Moments after her historic inauguration, the boardroom guru, Akande soon settled down to a rigorous work. Driven by passion to succeed and contribute her quota wherever she finds herself and like an icon  with the midas touch, the Oyo ETF has started recording rhythmic success stories.

Government Technical College, Iseyin

The neglect which the technical and vocational education experienced under the previous administrations in the state which has culminated into the dilapidated structures unfit for animals not to talk of humans and  resulting into low productive output has led to a drastic reduction of pupil’s enrollment into the state’s technical colleges.

But,  owing to their importance in the nation’s technological growth and advancement, the Abiola Ajimobi led government through the Oyo ETF realised the  need to create, remodel and revive all technical colleges in the state and bring them to full operation.

Without doubt, the introduction of Oyo ETF aimed at restoring, transforming and repositioning the education sector has not only started yielding positive fruits but also restoring the state pristine identity of ‘pacesetting’ as students, parents and even the staff of the Government Technical Colleges in Ibadan, Oyo, Iseyin, Ogbomoso and Saki  have been acknowledging and appreciating the ongoing transformation of the learning/teaching atmosphere. They have registered their appreciation to government for the changes in the colleges.

Miracles had happened!

Public secondary schools in the state are also receiving the attention of OYO ETF as  free exercise books were being distributed to the Senior Secondary students in the state. More interventions in forms of new constructions, renovations, provisions of teaching and learning materials with relevant seminars/workshops for teachers and students were also enjoyed, though, in order of priority by all levels of education in the state.

Contrary to the sordid and sorry state of technical and vocational education which Governor Abiola Ajimobi met when he was sworn in as the state governor, he has, however, turned the ‘hands of clock around’ by providing a conducive learning environment for pupils in the state  through the renovation and erection of ultramodern structures.

Government Technical College, Ogbomoso

No wonder why the state commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela maintained that it is impossible to commission all projects conceived, conceptualized and executed  by the Abiola Ajimobi led administration.

It is obvious that the Oyo ETF under the firm grip of Chief Nike Akande has recorded significant successes by fulfilling its mandate that established the Board. The infrastructural development currently witnessed at the various Government Technical Colleges  in the state evident a clear departure from its inglorious era.