Education
Oyo SGB’s policy is apolitical says Commissioner
OYO State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela on Wednesday reiterated that the School Governing Boards’ policy (SGBs) inaugurated by the present administration in the state was not politically motivated, noting that the all inclusive policy was geared towards rejuvenating as well as repositioning the education sector.
The Commissioner stated this at the official distribution of student furniture, exercise books and sporting materials donated by Hon. Akeem Ige, representing Ibadan South East Constituency II at the State House of Assembly held at Christ Church Primary School Play Ground, Odinjo, Ibadan.
Professor Olowofela in his remarks recalled, “when government insisted that all of us -the old students, the Parent Teacher Association, the Community, the Principals of schools should participate in the management of the school, the idea was misconstrued, there was chaos and riot in the society, but we thank God that the policy is yielding dividend today.
“Let me tell you, the program of today, a lot of people read various insinuations into it. When government established SGB, we declared that it is not politically motivated. We are saying education is the business of all. We can’t blame anybody any more.
“We are saying that all of us must participate in the development of education and that’s what we are doing today. Whether you are APC, Accord, Labour, PDP, SDP that’s not our concern, our concern is that development must be visible in our various schools”.
While applauding the effort of the donor of these education materials, Hon. Ige on behalf of the state government for his determination towards ensuring that learning activities in the schools are carried out without hitch and as well ensuring agility of these learners through provision of sporting equipments, Olowofela said, “sportsmanship is a good virtue to be inculcated in these little ones to develop team spirit. Ige has always been looking for ways to improve quality of lives”.
Hon Ige discussing with the commissioner for Education, Prof. Olowofela giving details of the items distributed.
Professor Olowofela continued , “His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has consistently been calling for a participatory approach to education financing in which all stakeholders are enjoined to actively contribute their quota in the provision of free and qualitative education.
“It is no gain saying that, education has a global reach and no government around the world can solely shoulder the responsibility of providing the educational demands of her people”.
He disclosed that government has mandated schools, both public and private in the state to organise sporting activities every year so as to discover talents.
Speaking further, the ex-council boss, Olowofela hinted, ” I also want to congratulate all of us today because when you look at educational profile from 1999 until last year 2016, our percentage in terms of WAEC pass rate, the best has been 21.61% but this year 2017, we have 54.18% in the WAEC ratings which demonstrate that government effort is yielding dividends”.
The commissioner, therefore urged all and sundry to come on board and support government in her drive aimed at restoring, reforming and repositioning the education sector in the state.
Earlier in his welcome address, the donor, Hon. Akeem Ige disclosed that the program was part of his effort to ensure that pupils have access to table and chairs, saying that the donation aims at enhancing their studies.
The lawmaker emphasised that he accorded education a priority, thus informed his decision to embarked upon provision of these education materials within shortest possible time.
“This I believe will go a long way to solving several challenges facing these schools at the moment in terms of infrastructure. This is also in line with education policy of the present administration in the state to reform education through the establishment of School Governing Boards (SGBs) to ensure that each individual contributes his/her quota to the development of education in the state”
As part of his contribution towards boosting sporting activities in public schools and to develop sporting activities at the grassroot especially football, the Chairman House Committee on Foreign Relations also distributed sporting kits and materials.
The ex- council gaffer, who is also an alumnus of the School (Christ Church Primary School), Hon. Ige while imploring the old students in all public schools to gather themselves and form a synergy so as to contribute their own quota to the development of education in the state concluded “the government is doing a lot but government alone cannot do it all”.
The Oyo State Government has announced the appointment of Mr. Adewunmi Joseph Ogunjimi as the Acting Registrar and Mr. David Olukola Taiwo as the Acting Bursar of The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
According to a statement released by Soladoye Adewole, the Polytechnic’s Public Relations Officer, the appointment letters were issued on behalf of the State Government by the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, and were dated 8th April. These appointments were endorsed by the Acting Rector of the institution, Dr. Taiwo Lasisi.
Adewunmi Joseph Ogunjimi, the newly appointed Acting Registrar, brings a wealth of administrative experience to his new role. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Deputy Registrar of the Directorate of Academic Affairs at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. Ogunjimi holds a B.Sc degree in Psychology from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and an MSc in Industrial Psychology from the University of Ibadan.
His journey in academia began at Prospect High School, Aba Nla, where he completed his secondary education between 1973 and 1978. Ogunjimi’s tenure at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, spans several years, during which he held various administrative positions, showcasing his prowess as an administrative wizard.
David Olukola Taiwo, the newly appointed Acting Bursar, comes with extensive experience in financial management. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Chief Accountant at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. Taiwo began his career at the institution in March 1994, joining as an Accountant II. Over the years, he climbed the ranks to become the Chief Accountant in 2015. Taiwo holds multiple qualifications in accounting and is a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCE).
His contributions within the Bursary Department, including roles such as Head of the Treasury Unit and Head of the Final Accounts Unit, underscore his proficiency in financial matters.
Both Ogunjimi and Taiwo are described as family-oriented individuals, happily married and blessed with responsible children.
The appointments of Mr. Adewunmi Joseph Ogunjimi and Mr. David Olukola Taiwo signify a new chapter in the administrative landscape of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, as they assume their respective roles with dedication and expertise.
Education
UI’s 545th inaugural lecture: Pogoson urges Tinubu to review foreign policy amid global shifts
Professor Aituaje Irene Pogoson, a scholar at the University of Ibadan (UI), has emphasised the pressing need for a more coherent elucidation of President Bola Tinubu’s 4-D renewed foreign policy doctrine.
This assertion was made during her delivery of the university’s 545th inaugural lecture entitled “The World in Transition: Understanding Power in the International System.”
Addressing a diverse audience including prominent academics and former Vice-Chancellors, Professor Pogoson underscored the imperative for Nigeria to confront a myriad of socio-economic and political challenges to assert its position in the evolving global landscape.
The lecture, marking the 14th in the series for the 2022/2023 academic session and the 11th inaugural lecture from the Department of Political Science, highlighted the urgency for Nigeria to recalibrate its foreign policy strategy.
Speaking passionately, Professor Pogoson, the first female lecturer and Head of the Department of Political Science at the university, lamented Nigeria’s current positioning within the global order, stressing the need for the country to maintain respect and relevance internationally.
She emphasised the necessity for Nigeria to re-strategize and re-formulate its foreign policy framework to effectively address both internal and external dynamics.
In analysing President Tinubu’s administration’s efforts towards repositioning Nigeria on the global stage, Professor Pogoson acknowledged the unveiling of ‘Nigeria’s 4-D Renewed Foreign Policy Doctrine,’ comprising Democracy, Demography, Development, and Diaspora.
However, she urged for a clearer articulation of this doctrine, advocating for concrete policies and actions to be outlined.
This marked Professor Pogoson’s third public lecture at the university, following her previous engagements addressing issues ranging from terrorism and national security to global power shifts.
President Bola Tinubu marked a significant milestone on Wednesday as he officially signed the National Students Loan Amendment bill into law during a brief ceremony held at the State House.
The event witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy President of the Senate Barau Jibrin, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Ministers Hannatu Musawa and Ayodele Olawande, as well as the president of the National Association of Nigerian Students, alongside other government officials and presidential aides.
The bill, initially endorsed by Tinubu in June 2023, aims to provide crucial financial assistance to Nigerian students pursuing tertiary education. Despite its previous signing, the implementation of the bill encountered delays attributed to various challenges hindering its rollout.
In his remarks following the signing, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the National Assembly for their swift handling of the bill, emphasising the pivotal role of education in combating poverty.
He stated, “First of all, I must thank members of the National Assembly for their expeditious handling of this bill considering the children of Nigeria, that education is the tool to fight against poverty effectively.”
Tinubu reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritising education and fostering skills development programmes to ensure equitable access to quality education for all Nigerian citizens, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds.
He underscored the importance of eliminating barriers to education, stating, “We are determined to ensure that education is given the proper attention necessary for the country including skills development programmes. This is to ensure that no one, no matter how poor their background is, is excluded from quality education and opportunity to build their future.”
Highlighting the significance of the bill, Tinubu emphasised the transformative impact it will have on addressing the issue of college dropout rates among Nigerian students.
He affirmed, “We are here because we are all educated and were helped. In the past, we have seen a lot of our children drop out of college and give up the opportunity. That is no more, the standard and the control is there for you to apply no matter who you are as long as you are a Nigerian citizen.”
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