Education
Photos: 8 illegal business operators on Oyo school premises arrested
Following zero-tolerance against the unlawful occupation and operation on the premises of its Public Schools, Oyo State Government on Tuesday arrested and has vowed to bring to justice about eight (8) persons who illegally operate a block making industry on the premises of Community Basic School, at Ologuneru area of the State.
The recently completed Model school under the FGN-UBEC/OYOSUBEB intervention project, is situated at Agbopa-Akufo farm settlement in Ido Local Government.
Speaking during the monitoring, Executive Chairman, OyoSUBEB, Dr. Nureni Adeniran expressed displeasure at the level of impunity the team met at the school, which he noted would not go unpunished.
The arrest was sequel to enforcement and monitoring exercise conducted by the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, OyoSUBEB, aimed at protecting public school facilities and infrastructure during this COVID-19 stay-at-home period for pupils.
The Chairman noted that the invasion has constituted great security risk to the school, adding that classrooms, toilets and borehole erected in the school have been destroyed by the owners of the block making industry.
“In fact, they have turned one of our classrooms into a bedroom, with their personal belongings scattered around the school”, he added.
Adeniran said “in some locations, these illegal operators and invaders have taken over some of our public schools, despite the fact that these schools are fenced round. They forcefully break in, destroy government properties and create nuisance on government schools across the state”.
According to Adeniran, the 8 illegal business operators arrested would be taken to court and would be prosecuted according to the full extent of the law. This, he said, would serve as deterrent to others perpetrating such act.
A section of the premises was used for moulding block and another section for arranging blocks on. It was revealed that they started using the land since the novel coronavirus started ravaging the State.
Information has it that, the Head Mistress of the School, Mrs.Felicia Funmilayo Ogunrinde, connived with a certain Engr. Seun Elegbede who works with a constructing firm, First Tropics Constructions & Multipurpose Nigeria Ltd., and leased premises of the School to a block making industry.
Describing the act as the height of lawlessness, Dr. Adeniran avowed that the State Government would ensure the Head Mistress, Mrs. Ogunrinde, who at the time of filing this report was not reachable would also face full disciplinary actions according to the full extent of the law.
“Oyo State Government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde has zero tolerance for this kind of lawlessness and impunity. The school belongs to Oyo State Government and there are no questions about that. So then, one wonders what kind of effrontery made them establish an illegal business on government’s property”, he said.
He also maintained that the business had no legal right to the land, talk-less of putting a block making industry on the premises of a school.
The monitoring exercise is expected to continue into other parts of the State in the coming weeks, until resumption of schools. He therefore called on group of individuals to desist from disrespecting Government or forcefully gaining entrance into Public schools for business purposes, saying if caught they would face the full wrath of the law.
The management of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, has scheduled the 2024/2025 matriculation ceremony for Thursday, March 27, 2025.
According to a statement by the University Registrar, Mrs. Olubunmi Siju’ Asunmo, the event will commence at 10:00 a.m. at the University Board of Trustees (BOT) Large Lecture Theatre and will be presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan.
The matriculation lecture will be delivered by Prof. Olatunde O. Fawole, a former Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and former Chairman of the Committee of Provosts and Deans at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso.
The university has urged all stakeholders, including Senate members, management staff, deans, directors, heads of departments, service divisions, faculty officers, and students’ representatives, to be seated by 9:30 a.m. prompt for a smooth event.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that the sale of the 2025 Direct Entry (DE) forms will commence on Wednesday, March 12.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by JAMB’s spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, on Monday. He emphasized that the registration process is essential for individuals with degrees, diplomas, or A-level certificates seeking admission into their preferred universities.
“The initiation of the DE sales follows the successful conclusion of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) application sales, which ended on Saturday, March 8, 2025,” the statement read.
According to JAMB, a total of 2,030,627 candidates registered for the 2025 UTME, with 200,115 participating in the Mock-UTME and 630 in the trial mock examination.
The board warned prospective Direct Entry applicants to ensure they meet all entry requirements, as any false declaration of qualifications would attract serious penalties.
“A special committee will verify all submitted advanced-level qualifications, and any fraudulent results will lead to prosecution. Additionally, institutions are encouraged to directly verify certificates before considering admissions,” the board stated.
JAMB also clarified that registration for the Direct Entry process can only be done at designated JAMB Professional Registration Centres (PRCs).
As the registration date approaches, candidates are advised to adhere to all guidelines and ensure that their credentials are properly verified to avoid disqualification.
The Federal Government has officially adopted the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State, as a Federal University of Education. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the transition on Friday, expressing gratitude to the Ogun State Government for inviting the Federal Government to take over one of the state’s most valued educational institutions.
The announcement was contained in a statement released by the Presidency on Sunday, highlighting the significance of TASUED’s transition and its alignment with national educational priorities.
“It is an opportunity for the Federal Government to honour Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who pioneered the revolutionary free education programme in Western Nigeria, and Dr Tai Solarin, who dedicated his life to educating our children and instilling patriotic and leadership values at Mayflower School in Ikenne,” President Tinubu was quoted as saying.
The President further acknowledged the Awujale of Ijebuland’s instrumental role in preventing TASUED’s closure in 2012, just seven years after its establishment. He described the transition as a strategic move aimed at strengthening teacher education and improving instructional quality nationwide.
“With a well-developed infrastructure and academic programme, the transition requires minimal federal investment,” the statement noted.
TASUED, established in 2005 by the Ogun State Government, holds the distinction of being Nigeria’s first specialised university of education. It was named in honour of Dr Tai Solarin, a renowned educationist and social reformer. The institution’s conversion into a federal university marks a historic milestone as the first federal tertiary institution in Ogun East Senatorial District, which includes Ijebu and Remo areas.
With this development, TASUED joins Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, and Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo, as Nigeria’s three federally owned universities dedicated to teacher education. The takeover underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and strengthening the foundation of Nigeria’s teaching workforce.
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