The Oyo State Government in Southwest Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the attainment of academic excellence in the state, noting that the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration was leaving no stone unturned in ensuring quality education in schools.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abdulwaheed Adelabu, disclosed this in Ibadan, the state capital, during the 2nd edition of the Journalist Olawale Ogunbusola School Competition, held at the National Museum of Unity, Aleshinloye, Ibadan.
In a lecture titled ‘Sustaining Academic Standard in Oyo State’, Prof. Adelabu, who was represented by Deputy Director, Secondary Schools, Miss Gladys Uton, noted that academic failure by any student in the state is self-created as the government was taking giant strides towards making the state a pacesetter in achieving academic excellence.
He maintained that the government had provided an enabling environment, including the employment of over 5,000 teachers, the creation of alumni platforms and education zones, the training and retraining of teachers, an increased budget, and scholarship and bursary awards, to allow for easy education delivery and accessibility.
In his address of welcome, the convener, an Ibadan-based journalist, Olawale Ogunbusola, disclosed that the competition aims to partner with the Oyo State Government in delivering quality education by evaluating students of secondary schools across the 33 local government councils in the state.
He explained that the inter-school competition is an annual event approved by the state government to strengthen students’ exposure, competence, and confidence, with rewards given to the most deserving students and social personalities for societal progress and a legacy for future generations.
In the second lecture titled ‘Rape: Curbing the Menace in Nigeria,’ Mrs. Olubunmi Osoteku, an Assistant Director at Voice of Nigeria, emphasised that rape is a crime that must be eradicated from society, highlighting the reasons for rape, its effects, and prevention among young Nigerians.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Miss Wasilat Adegoke, called on the students to remain focused, determined, and dedicated in their endeavours for a greater future, while a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly representing Southwest 1 State Constituency, Hon. Yusuf Adebisi, charged the students to respect their parents and also take their studies seriously.
In their goodwill messages, Messrs Tunde Odunlade, a curator, and Yinka Adeniran, a journalist, Dr. Tayo Adegunju, and Bimbo Adedeji, among other personalities present, all applauded the convener and urged the government to form a better synergy with other education stakeholders for enviable academic excellence in Oyo State and Nigeria.
The high point of the event, which had lawmakers, commissioners, scholars, artists, publishers, and media practitioners, among others, in attendance, was the presentation of prizes to the winners of the maiden and second editions of the inter-school competition.
The winners of the second edition in the junior category are: Taiwo Winner (1st): Loyola College, Ibadan; Alao Taiwo (2nd)- Community High School, Isebo; and Adele Temiloluwa (3rd): Aseyori Schools, Ibadan. Senior Category: Adepoju Faith (1st): Loyola College, Ibadan; Abdulramon Oyinkansola (2nd): Isabatudeen Girls’ Grammar School; and Johnson Ayomikun (3rd): Community High School, Isebo.
Awards were also presented to eleven personalities, including the commissioners for Education and Youth, Tunde Odunlade, Olubunmi Osoteku, Folajinmi Akinnawo, a journalist, and Babatunde Balogun, CEO, Prince FM, Ibadan, for their positive contributions to society.
