Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to education during the maiden Education Day celebration, themed ‘A Day With His Excellency.’
Held at the Emeritus Professor Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall in UCH, Ibadan, the governor, represented by his deputy, Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, emphasised that education is at the core of his administration’s priorities, as demonstrated by the allocation of approximately 20 percent of the state’s budget to this crucial sector.
Governor Makinde declared, “We know, as a matter of fact, that giving education to our children is key so that our children are not ravaged by poverty. The folks who were not educated are nowhere to be found today in Nigeria and as such, our administration both under Omitutun 1.0 and Omituntun 2.0 have taken education so seriously that every other policy of government ranks behind education.”
He assured the public that his administration will continue to build upon this strong foundation and create an enabling environment for both students and teachers.
As part of their efforts, the government has initiated the sanitization of school environments by removing shops around school fences and enhancing access and affordability in the education sector.
Makinde proudly listed the establishment of a new campus in Iseyin and the sole ownership of Ladoke Akintola University as significant accomplishments of his administration.
Over a thousand LAUTECH students have been relocated to Iseyin, focusing on agricultural development.
The governor expressed his gratitude to all those who have contributed to improving education in the state, emphasising that the government cannot achieve this alone and encouraging them to maintain their generous support.
He highlighted the importance of accessible and affordable education to create a brighter future for pupils and students.
Despite financial constraints, Oyo State is sustaining three fully state-owned universities: LAUTECH, Tech-U, and Emmanuel Alayande University.
Governor Makinde praised parents, teachers, and school administrators for their contributions to the state’s educational progress and announced rewards for the best-performing students.
The Commissioner for Education, Solihu Adelabu, emphasised the government’s commitment to sound and qualitative education, with an annual budget allocation of 15% to 20% for education, which has yielded positive results for students.
He commended the students who have excelled locally, nationally, and globally, encouraging them to continue their pursuit of excellence.
Governor Makinde’s dedication to education in Oyo State remains steadfast, and his administration’s achievements in this sector are celebrated as a testament to the state’s commitment to providing quality education for its residents.
