Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde has promised to continue repositioning tertiary education in the state if re-elected for a second term.
Makinde promised this in Ibadan on Monday at the 2022 International Students’ Day, which was organised by the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Affairs under the theme “Change Makers.”
While showcasing his achievements, the governor stated that his administration would continue to engage students and see their welfare as it provides facilities and infrastructure that will aid teaching and learning.
Makinde urged the students to use their voter’s cards wisely as history beckons.
He noted that his administration would ensure that issues affecting students are attended to, from sole ownership of LAUTECH to the reduction of school fees by 15 per cent, accreditation of courses for The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and provision of bursaries to students.
“We will continue to ensure that you have no reason to protest. For three years, no violent protests by students in Oyo State have existed.
“And if there is a need for a peaceful protest, we will continue to respect your right to peaceful protest, but we encourage dialogue,” Makinde said.
In her keynote address, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, a former Deputy vice chancellor of Research, Innovation, and Strategic Partnership at the University of Ibadan, urged students to identify problems they can solve in their environment.
Adeyemo, the Lead of Tsoriel Solutions Limited, said changemakers are proactive, pioneering, and passionate about their cause.
“They are resilient and aren’t deterred by failure. We all should be finding home-grown solutions to socioeconomic challenges in Nigeria.
“Initial efforts should be directed toward unblocking our minds, changing our mindset.
“We must challenge the existing paradigms that led us into the rot we lament about and create novel ways to do business and life that positively impact our communities.
“Thus, igniting the “CHANGE” we desire to see, one Changemaker at a time. Everyone has change-making in their DNA; it is just a matter of unlocking it,” Adeyemo said.
Earlier, Mr Victor Olojede, the Special Assistant to Gov. Makinde on Students Affairs, commended the governor on fulfilling his promises to reposition education in the state.
He highlighted the state government’s numerous interventions in various tertiary institutions and the huge impact they have on the education sector.
