Education

Commissioner for Education Pledges Better Days for MAPOLY

By Web News 548

By Olusegun Folarin

The Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu has assured the staff of the state – owned Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY, Abeokuta of the present administration’s commitment to addressing their needs.

Professor Arigbabu who gave the assurance at a valedictory programme in honour of a former Rector of the Polytechnic, Architect Tokunbo Fowode said the relevant authorities were working towards resolving the institution’s problems. 

Speaking about the retired Rector, the Commissioner described Architect Fowode as a stalwart academic whose dedication and commitment remained indelible.

” I want to appreciate the members of staff of MAPOLY for their dedication, though it’s work in progress and I want to assure you that by God’s grace, we will solve all these problems’

“I also appreciate the student Union, they have also been very understanding and supporting, the meeting we held, I appeal to them to give peace a chance, let us look for situation whereby we can make MAPOLY at least uninterrupted session and we are enjoying the peace today”

Similarly, the incumbent Rector of MAPOLY, Dr Adeoye Odedeji acknowledged that the contributions made by Architect Fowode as a lecturer and subsequently a Rector of the Polytechnic had brought glory to the school. 

In a paper entitled “Sustainable Leadership in the Tertiary Institutions and the future of Nigerian Development” the Pioneer Vice Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Professor Kayode Oyesiku said investment in critical infrastructure would facilitate economic progress and enhance the living standard of the people. 

Professor Oyesiku emphasized that ensuring increased funding and resource allocation to enhance infrastructure and educational quality remained the fundamental building block for sustainable and prosperous future for Nigeria. 

He highlighted some of the exemplary legacies of Architect Fowode in the institution to include the establishment of the Academic Planning  Directorate as well the Introduction of 2-year Part-time programme to replace the old 3-year system.

In a remark, the Deputy Rector and Chairman Planning Committee for the Valedictory programme, Dr Yetunde Lanre-Iyanda said the former rector was a visionary leader who dedicated his time for the advancement of education and the betterment of the academic community.

Friends, families and professional colleagues of the retired Rector also took turns to eulogize his immense contributions, describing him as an icon, a father, administrator and philanthropist par excellence.

Education

Oyo Govt. Releases Car Loans for Primary School Teachers

By Web News 423

By Oluwakayode Banjo

The Oyo State Government has approved the immediate release of car loans for primary school teachers, across all zones in the state.

This was disclosed in a statement on Friday in Ibadan by the coordinating Director, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr. Jacob Dairo.

According to the state, the loan is coming as a palliative to teachers in the state. 

The statement indicates that the loan which is to be distributed in many tranches is to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy, on Oyo State primary school teachers.

The statement notes that the state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has instructed that the loan be disbursed without any favoritism.

It adds that the loan facility which is to be granted by financial institutions is to be redeemed within 40 months.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Salihu Abdulwaheed has expressed readiness to work with all stakeholders in the education sector.

The commissioner stated this when he paid a visit to the Directorate of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board on Thursday. 

Professor Abdulwaheed assured that the Oyo State Government will, in due course, recruit more teachers into the basic education sub-sector.

He added that the present administration will ensure the training of staff members, for an all-round success of the government.

Responding, Mr. Dairo promised a more robust working relationship between the board and the Ministry of Education.

He also acknowledged that to ensure a paradigm shift in the education sector, all education-related boards, and parastatals must work in tandem with the Ministry of Education.

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Economy

Omicron: Prepare to work virtually – Fayemi tells Ekiti Workers

By Web News 632

As part of plans to curtail the spread of the new covid-19 variant, Omicron, Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has told workers to be ready to work virtually.

Governor Fayemi made this known when he paid a New Year visit to workers in selected offices situated at the State Secretariat in Ado Ekiti.

Dr Fayemi said, one of the opportunities in the covid-19 era was that workers could learn to work virtually to further cushion the effect of the pandemic and protect their wellbeing.

He said adequate preparation had been made in all the offices to ensure compliance with covid-19 protocols.

’’What is important now is they are back and in coming back, we still owe a duty of protection to them in their various offices that’s partly why I have to go round to see what is going on for myself. It is a new year, it is a new dawn and it is a year of fulfilment as we have described it and we pray that our workers would be imbued with the enthusiasm and the commitment to work smarter and work harder. Smarter because in the age of covid, we worked virtually now, at the level of the Executive council, all our executive council meetings are being held virtually, we still meet every week but we meet virtually because we now have a new variant of covid-19 which is even mutating faster than the previous variants that we have had. Spending too much time physically within the same space is not the most advisable but in that adversity there is opportunity, many of our people will learn to work virtually and to work a lot more away from their physical space in a way that protects their wellbeing and health care’’, the governor said.

Dr. Fayemi urged workers in the state to imbibe the culture of dedication, hard work and commitment to duties to make the state more productive this year.

The visit also afforded the governor the opportunity to pay attention to issues that could serve as challenges to workers performances while furniture was distributed to various offices to enhance working conditions.

The governor, accompanied by the Head of Service, Mrs Peju Babafemi; the Chief of Staff, Biodun Omoleye; Overseer, office of the Secretary to the State Government, Folusho Daramola; leaderships of organized labour in Ekiti and other top government officials were received by the Commissioner for information and value orientation, Barrister Akinbowale Omole, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Alhaja Mariam Ogunlade and the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr Bimpe Aderiye at their respective ministries.

Other offices visited included the Ministry of Budget and Economic Development, Pension Commission as well as Ministry of Lands.

Tope Bamidele

Education

Ogún Commissioner For Education Warns Pupils Against Crime

By Web News 1034

Pupils in Ogun State culpable in criminal acts will be sent to juvenile homes to undergo character reformation.

The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu made this known in Abeokuta when he visited the Commissioner of Police, Mr Lanre Bankole.

Professor Arigbabu tendered an apology on behalf of the Ogun State Government to the police over the unruly behaviour of some pupils of Egba High School and Asero High School in Abeokuta.

The pupils had earlier assaulted the Divisional Police Officer of Obantoko, also in Abeokuta.

The commissioner described the assault as appalling and unacceptable.

He warned students in the state to desist from criminal acts, saying the government would no longer spare pupils on account of their ages, but make them to face the full wrath of the law.

He commended the collaborative efforts of the police to arrest unruly behaviours in schools.

Professor Arigbabu assured that government would address all forms of indiscipline through surveillance and interaction with pupils by the police and government officials on good conduct.

Responding, Mr. Bankole noted that the incident was of mutual concern to the ministry and the police and said the latter had always been proactive in schools and in the state at large.

Pupils of the two schools assaulted the DPO and some other police officers on Wednesday as they were attempting to quell fight between the two schools.

Wale Oluokun

Religion

Oyo Government to Prevent Recurrence of Missionaries Preaching in Schools

By Web News 1060

Following the case of some foreign missionaries attached to Evangelist Daniel Kolenda visiting some public schools to preach, Oyo State Government has put measures in place to prevent future recurrence of such incidents. 

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Abdulrahman Abdulraheem stated this in Ibadan at a programme reception organised by the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations of Nigeria, NACOMYO, Oyo State Chapter for new Muslim Commissioners, Local Government Chairmen, National Amirah of FOMWAN and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Barrister Abdraheem explained that the measures would prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future emphasising that excesses like preaching in schools would be checked.

“We will make necessary amendments and forgive us and we are assuring you that such will not happen again”. 

“When I saw their letter of apology, I was happy but when there was a report the following day of another visit, it really saddened my heart but we have taken different steps and you will soon see the result”.

Barrister Abdulraheem said the case would not be swept under the carpet as thorough investigations were on to know how the team gained access into the schools without due process.

“There has been an existing circular regarding religious activities in schools which we update from time to time. If there is any visitor to our schools, even if they want to donate materials there, after meeting the principals, they must get approvals from the ministry before such visitors could address the students. We don’t allow students to interact with visitors without observing the protocols”. 

“The incident really baffled us in the ministry and personally I have sleepless nights on the case and we have taken a lot of steps which I might not be able to reveal now but I’m assuring you that the case will not be swept under the carpets. We must check such excesses”.

The commissioner exonerated both the Chairman and Permanent Secretary of the State Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM from the incident stressing that they were not pre-informed of the visits to schools by the Evangelist Kolenda’s team.

 “Though, both the Chairman and the Permanent Secretary of TESCOM are Christians but the truth is that they were not responsible for the incident. They are innocent regarding the matter”.

He confirmed the receipt of the letter by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria on the development explaining that he has had an interaction with the executives of the body on the situation.

The commissioner noted that in line with the open-door policy of Engineer Seyi Makinde’s administration, his office is always open urging people to channel their complaints directly to him rather than going on social media. 

Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun explained that Governor Makinde would continue to be fair to all religions noting that out of the 17 new commissioners, 9 are Muslims while 8 are Christians. 

He called for continuous prayers for the success of Governor Makinde in line “with Prophet Muhammad’s instructions that we should pray for our leaders”.

Chairman, Oyo State Muslim Community, Alhaji Kunle Sanni explained that causes being fought for were always for the generality of the Muslims and not for any selfish interest.

“We are not asking for any selfish things. None of my children is working with Oyo State Government to say that that is whom we are fighting for but for the generality of the Muslims. A Muslim who wakes up and does not wish for the progress of his fellow Muslims is not worthy of calling a Muslim”.

He said the Muslim Community is apolitical but what has always been its business is fairness and equality to all religions by the state government. 

“We are not APC. What is the difference between APC and PDP? Are they not the same? Our interest is what is due for the Muslims, give it to us and do the same to the Christians but there must not be injustice at all”.

The Chairman on the occasion, Professor Rashid Aderinoye enjoined NACOMYO and other Islamic organisations not to be far from their representatives in government stressing that their regular interaction would resolve many agitations.

In a lecture by Imam Habeebulahi Buhari, the Islamic cleric enjoined the Muslim political office holders to ensure the fear of Allah in all their dealings while working in the cause of Allah should also be paramount in their undertakings. 

Earlier, the coordinator, NACOMYO, Oyo State Chapter, Alhaji Dawood Afolabi said it has become the tradition of the chapter to organize a prayer reception for Muslim political appointees and other personalities in order to team up to advance the cause of Islam.

He emphasized that no individual could buy NACOMYO as the organisation stands for justice and fair treatment adding that as long as the government played its part, there would not be cause for any clash.

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Titles, Chief Bayo Lawal was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Bashir Olanrewaju while the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Alhaja Kafilah Omolabake Olayiwola also has a representative at the reception. 

Other political functionaries in attendance are Chairman, Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Kamorudeen Aderibigbe, Chairman, Ibadan North Local Government, Hon. Yusuf Shuaib Oladejo and representative of the Chairman, Association of Local Government Employee of Nigeria, ALGON, Oyo State Chapter. Hon. Sanda Sikiru Oyedele.

The new Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Barrister Kazeem Gbadamosi and the new National Executives of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria, FOMWAN led by the Amirah, Alhaja Rafiah Sanni participated in the programme.

Ridwan Fasasi

Politics

OSHA Warns MDAs On Budget Defense Boycott

By Web News 729

The Osun State House of Assembly, OSHA, says heads of revenue-generating agencies who failed to appear for the defence of their budget for the 2022 fiscal year will get zero allocation.

The Speaker, Mr. Timothy Owoeye stated this while declaring open 2022 Budget defence by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the state before the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation exercise.

He said the Assembly would be thorough in the consideration of budget proposals presented by Ministries and Agencies of Government.

The Speaker advised Ministries and Agencies to improve on their Internally Generated Revenue drive by looking inward as well as blocking all revenue leakages and loopholes within their jurisdiction.

He urged residents and business owners in Osun State to ensure timely payment of taxes and levies which he noted would lessen the stress of funding of budget.

Earlier, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriations, Mr. Taiwo Olodo said the Assembly is set to help the MDAs improve on their services, so as to enable them to generate more revenue for the state government, asking them to table their challenges and constraints before the committee.

Commissioner for Education, Mr. Folorunso Oladoyin led the Ministry of Education and five agencies of government to appear before the joint House committees of Finance and Appropriations and House Committee on Education, to present their year 2022 budget estimates.

Funmi Adekoya

Education

We are committed to providing, free, qualitative education – Oyo Govt

By Web News 546

Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye has said that the present administration in Oyo State would continue to partner relevant non-governmental organizations to achieve free and quality education.

Mr. Olaleye made this known when he met with executive of Prison Fellowship of Nigeria in Ibadan.

Represented by a director in the ministry, Mrs. Foluke Ogunsiji, the commissioner who lauded the Prisons Fellowship of Nigeria for its initiative aimed at reducing out of school children in Oyo State by making arrangements to enrol them back to school, said necessary support would be given to them to achieve its goal.

Mr. Olaleye explained that the state government was ready to make necessary provisions available for pupils that were ready to be enrolled in its schools, in line with governor Seyi Makinde’s free education agenda.

Earlier in an address, Oyo State Chairman , Prison Fellowship of Nigeria, Prophet Boyede Sule disclosed that the international leadership of PFN has concluded arrangement to sponsor six hundred vulnerable children in Oyo State primary and secondary schools.

Prophet Sule said beneficiaries would be between the ages of four and eighteen, including children of inmates and ex inmate.

While soliciting the cooperation of the ministry, prophet Sule said other benefiting states has submitted necessary documentation and has reached an advance stage.

He added that the Prison Fellowship of Nigeria was able to secure a NECO examination centre at the Agodi Correctional Centre while it was Liasing with the National open university to enrol qualified candidates.

Mosope Kehinde

Education

TETFUND To Construct 245 Million Naira Skill Acquisition Centre In MAPOLY

By Web News 820

In the bid to tackle unemployment among youths, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund,TETFUND, is constructing a two hundred and forty-five million naira Skills Acquisition and Vocational Centre at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY, Abeokuta. 

At the foundation laying ceremony, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu said the project initiated under the 2018 TETFUND Annual Intervention would boost the capacity of the youths to create wealth. 

Olusegun Folarin presents the details in this package.

Olusegun Folarin

Education

We Will Continue To Boost Education – Makinde

By Web News 652

Oyo State government has expressed its determination to focus on building infrastructures across public schools in the state and renovate dilapidated structures.

Governor Seyi Makinde stated this during a symbolic presentation of free exercise books to students of selected secondary schools in the state. 

He urged stakeholders in the education sector to shun politics and complement government’s effort at ensuring a secured and guaranteed future for students in the state.

Governor Makinde noted that a portion of the school grant has been signed off for payment for effective running of public schools in the state with a promise that government would not relent in providing necessary funding to the state’s education sector.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Mr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye said the gesture was part of the government’s free education policy noting that about 2.7 million exercise books would be freely distributed across schools.

Iyabo Adebisi

Lifestyle

Ekiti Government Cancels New Year Interdenominational Service

By Web News 786

Stresses January 18 Resumption Date For Schools

Ekiti State Government has cancelled the customary interdenominational service usually held on the first working day of the year.

In a statement made available to Radio Nigeria in Ado Ekiti, the State Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Mr Akin Omole explained that the cancellation was part of efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus in the state.

Mr Omole added that Governor Kayode Fayemi’s directive that public workers on grade level 12 and below should work from home also remains sacrosanct as workers resume duties today January 4 after the public holiday marking the beginning of the New Year.

The commissioner stressed the need for people in the state to adhere strictly with all laid down protocols to protect themselves from contracting the virus.

Mr Omole stated that government had made proper use of face mask mandatory in the state, while physical distancing must also be maintained.

He also emphasized the importance of avoiding crowds, keeping rooms well ventilated and regular hand washing with soap and water as well as using alcohol-based hand sanitizers and coughing into a bent elbow or disposable tissue paper.

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State government has reminded parents and private school proprietors that schools will resume in the state for 2nd term on the 18th of January 2021 and that this shall be enforced.  

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr Bimpe Aderiye announced this in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti.

Dr Aderiye warned that any contrary arrangement that involves making students resume today Monday 4th January, 2021, by wearing either mufti or uniform must be cancelled.

She, therefore, wished teachers and pupils peaceful, progress-filled and prosperous New Year. Amos Ogunrinde

Education

Oyo Govt Releases Calendar For School Resumption

By Web News 869

Oyo State government has announced September 21, 2020 as the beginning of the 2020/2021 academic session for primary and secondary schools in the state.

A statement by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, indicated that the first term of the new academic calendar will run between September 21 and December 18, 2020.

The statement added that the second term of the academic session is expected to run from January 11 to April 9, 2021, while the third term will run between May 3 and July 30, 2021.

The commissioner said: “The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology enjoins all stakeholders and members of the public to take note of the details of the academic calendar.”

It will be recalled that the new calendar was approved on July 21 at a meeting of the State Executive Council, to guide resumption of schools and other associated educational activities in the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected educational activities around the world.

PR/Olasunkanmi Olaleye

Health

Coronavirus: Ekiti State Govt. Distributes Hand Sanitisers

By Web News 829

As part of its efforts to protect the pupils and students against Coronavirus, Ekiti State Government has commenced the distribution of hand sanitizers to the public primary and secondary schools in the state.

The State Commissioner for Education, Mr Foluso Daramola, who supervised the distribution of the items to the first set of schools in Ado-Ekiti, called on School Administrators to ensure that the sanitizers were used solely for the purpose meant for.

Mr Daramola assured that government would leave no stone unturned in its effort to prevent the virus from spreading to the state.

He, however, appealed to parents and guardians to keep away their sick children and wards from schools and take them to hospitals for urgent medical attention.

The commissioner also advised parents to call the emergency number 112 should they suspect their children of showing any sign of flu.

Mr Daramola appealed to the people of the state to imbibe the act of proper handwashing while those who had the habit of touching their mouth, eyes, nose and ears with their hands should stop henceforth. 

Amos Ogunrinde

Economy

Teacher’s Recruitment: Don’t pay anyone for employment – Commissioner

By Web News 848

Oyo state government has warned prospective applicants into the state Post Primary School Teaching Service Commission as teaching and non-teaching staff to refrain from paying anyone for employment.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye disclosed this while briefing newsmen shortly after an Executive Council Meeting.

Mr Olaleye assured that the recruitment would be based strictly on merit, noting that about one hundred and fifty-six applicants had applied and that the date for a Computer Based Test (CBT) would be next month.

Also speaking, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo hinted that a bill for the establishment of the office of public defender that would assist indigent citizens with free legal services would soon be transmitted to the house.

On the employment for Operation Amotekun, Professor Oyewo said recruitment into the security outfit would commence as soon as institutional framework and command network was fully established. 

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Bashir Bello also disclosed that the state executive council had approved the purchase of ten ambulances to be distributed across all zones of the state.

Iyabo Adebisi

Politics

We Have Transmitted “Amotekun” Bill to OYHA – Oyo Govt

By Web News 712

Oyo state government has approved a draft bill seeking to create a legal framework for the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed “Amotekun”.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo who disclosed this while briefing newsmen after an executive council meeting, said the bill had been transmitted to the Oyo State House of Assembly, OYHA, for necessary action.

Professor Oyewo explained that following a meeting of the Attorney Generals from the South-West in collaboration with the DAWN commission, a framework had been created with individual states remodeling the bill to conform to their own peculiarities.

Also, Commissioner for Education, Mr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye explained that suspended management of Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki has been sacked due to irregularities in their appointments.

He added that the school’s account would be audited and anyone found wanting would be made to face the wrath of the law.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bashir Bello also seized the opportunity to disclose that no reported cases of Lassa fever or Coronavirus has been recorded in the state due to the proactive actions of the state government at preventing the diseases.

Iyabo Adebisi

Education

Ekiti Buys Multimillion Naira Equipment, Books to Boost Education

By Web News 790

Ekiti state government says it has procured science equipment and textbooks worth one hundred and nine million naira for distribution to public secondary schools and Technical Colleges across the state.

This is part of efforts of the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration to take education to greater heights in the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Foluso Daramola made this known to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti. 

Mr. Daramola explained that Governor Fayemi will flag-off the distribution of the science equipment and textbooks to public secondary schools and Technical Colleges on Thursday.

The commissioner said the ceremony will be held at the Ministry of Education Science and Technology, Phase four, State Secretariat, Ado-Ekiti, commencing by ten O’ clock in the morning.

He appealed to principals of all public secondary schools and technical colleges across the state, Area Education Officers and other education stakeholders to attend the ceremony.

Amos Ogunrinde

Economy

Oyo Approves 9.9 Billion naira for Moniya-Iseyin Road

By Web News 754

Oyo state government has approved the sum of nine point nine billion naira for the construction of Moniya-Ijaiye-Iseyin Road.

The Commissioner for Works and Transportation, Professor Raphael Afonja disclosed this in Ibadan while briefing newsmen after an executive council meeting. 

Professor Afonja who explained that the duration of work would be twelve months pointing out that necessary input that would enhance the quality of work had been included in the contract.

The Commissioner for Education, Professor Dawud Sangodoyin also said the government has approved free distribution of hundred thousand copies of past examination questions compendium for students of both public and private schools to enhance performances in Senior School Certificate Examinations, SSCE.

Professor Sangodoyin said the free compendium distribution exercise would gulp over one hundred and seventy million naira adding that the government had also approved e-training and various forms of capacity building for teachers.

Professor Sangodoyin speaking on the free examination compedium

Professor Sangodoyin therefore urged the general public to exercise patience on the recruitment exercise for teachers in the state as the government would advertise the opening soon. Iyabo Adebisi

Education

Law School: Ekiti Govt Approves ₦17m Bursary for Indigenes

By Web News 3293

About 17million Naira bursary allowance has been approved for 113 indigenes of Ekiti State currently in six campuses of the Nigeria Law Schools across the country.

Governor Kayode Fayemi announced this in Ado Ekiti at the commencement of the screening for the law students who would benefit from the bursary.

Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Mr Foluso Daramola, the Governor said the bursary was aimed at encouraging the students in law schools to give them sense of belong.

According to Governor Fayemi, the screening was to confirm those that were qualified for the bursary as contained in the lists sent by the Council for Legal Education

In remark, the Acting Executive Secretary Ekiti State Scholarship Board, Mr. Sola Ogunmiluyi noted that government would continue to promote academic excellence and urged philanthropists to complement government efforts by giving bursary to indigenes.

Some of the law students at the venue of the screening thanked the state government for the gesture which they said would reduce their financial burden.

Radio Nigeria gathered that the screening exercise will end tomorrow where the beneficiaries would be announced.

Tope