The Oyo State Government has warned the education secretaries across the 33 Local Government Areas of the state against abuse of the privileges of the office, saying there would be sanctions for any form of abuse.
The Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB), Dr Nureni Adeniran, while inaugurating the secretaries on behalf of the State Governor, in Ibadan, implored them to improve the quality of education and reduce the number of out-of-school children in their localities.
In a statement released by OYOSUBEB, Dr Adeniran said the Board had laid a very strong and solid foundation for the new education secretaries in the areas of infrastructural development and manpower upliftment of both teaching and non-teaching staff, noting that the secretaries were well positioned to build on the existing foundation and even add value where necessary.
The Chairman noted that the Board had raised the bar of learning process for both formal and non-formal learners, welfare and training of teachers and ensuring well-orchestrated primary school administration, charging the secretaries to be high-fliers in subject content mastery, knowledge and skills that would guarantee prudence, accountability and transparency in their new appointments.
He admonished the secretaries to work hard for the success of the education sector with their new appointment so that their names would be written in gold among those that immensely contributed to the success of the Seyi Makinde-led administration, affirming that their appointment was in recognition of their capacity, capability and contributions over the years to the development of education in the state.
“With you, a new era of primary school administration and leadership has, once again, been ushered in. In addition, you are expected to work very hard at your jurisdiction to complement the efforts of the State Universal Basic Education Board, in particular, and the Universal Basic Education Commission in general.”
He urged the secretaries to buckle up for the few challenges they may face, saying they must deal with them accordingly, in line with the dictum that ‘there are no insurmountable challenges’ and charged them to take charge of the general administration of the Local Government Universal Basic Education Authority (LGUBEA), ensuring effective monitoring of school activities within the LGUBEA.
Adeniran, however, called for strict compliance with the rules of engagement, so that the whole system would be run as envisioned for the benefit of the state and pupils/learners who are supposed to be the future leaders.
“You are expected to exercise strict caution when making decisions and always seek clearance and advice from the Board on grey areas, in order to avoid embarrassment and mistakes that could be costly while running your office. It is my fervent prayer that you succeed in all your undertakings and endeavours during your tenure as Education Secretaries within your various jurisdictions,” he concluded.
Speaking earlier, a member of the Board, Akeem Oladeji, opined that their appointment was a deliberate action and a clarion call for them to join the present enviable train of education administration, as exemplified in the state, to be in tandem with the four (4) cardinal agenda and focus of the Seyi Makinde-led administration, of which education is listed.
Also, a part-time member of the Board, Folasade Ajala, admonished the secretaries to be focused, dedicated and loyal to the present administration that considered them worthy.
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Com. Raji Oladimeji, congratulated the new secretaries on their well-deserved appointment as education secretaries across the 33 LGUBEA of the state, assuring the Board and the new secretaries of the Union’s support and cooperation.
Responding on behalf of the education secretaries, Morenike Adeniran, from Ibadan Southwest Local Government Area, thanked the governor for the rare opportunity and deeming it fit to appoint them, appreciating the SUBEB boss for turning the tides of the Board with the new development.
