..Calls for improved Educational System

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has inaugurated a 12—man steering committee  for the second phase of the European Union funded Education and Youth Empowerment Project in Nigeria.

The committee inaugurated on Tuesday at a two – day State Launch and Inception Meeting of the EU — UNESCO Project: Education and Youth Empowerment in Nigeria: Expand, Integrate and Strengthen Systems (EISS) to build Teachers’ Capacity and Resilience from 2024 to 2028 at Kankanfo Inn, Ibadan is expected to provide overall guidance for project implementation in Oyo State.

Speaking shortly after the inauguration, Governor Makinde harped on the need to revamp the educational system in Nigeria to meet the global practices.

Represented at the event by  the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, the Governor identified the EU – UNESCO Education project as one of the key  interventions and collaborations required to change the narrative in the education sector of the Country.

He called for concerted efforts from relevant stakeholders in ensuring that the pupils get the right knowledge from the appropriate quarters.

He charged the committee members to design a clear road map for the project and make attainment of conducive learning environments in schools part of their priorities.

He explained that  Governor ‘Seyi Makinde led administration put Education on the front burner, which he said responsible for the 21.44 percent allotted to education in the current budget of the State.

The Governor appreciated EU-UNESCO for assisting the State in raising the bar of education at the basic level.

In his remarks, the Head of UNESCO, Abuja Office,  Mr. Albert Mendy,  explained that the overall objective of the project is to contribute to improved student attainment and Nigeria’s human development by Innovatively increasing the number of qualified and resilient teachers through relevant teacher education policies and programmes in line with Agenda 2063 (Goals 1 and 2) and Agenda 2038 SDG 4, 4.5 and 4.7).

According to him, through the 48-month project, individual teacher capacities will be built by developing an expanded teacher education programme focused on strengthening teacher resilience for challenging job demands in fragile contexts as well as support the  development and implementation of teacher policies for improved teacher preparation, recruitment, and management.

“The project will support improved quality of teaching and learning for  all, especially at the basic school level through capacity development of teachers (in-service and pre-service), professional development opportunities, learner-centered participatory and inclusive instruction, the provision of adequate teaching and learning materials and the use of digital media and education-technology (EdTech) approaches inside classrooms for an inclusive, safe and resilient environment to deliver sustainable education services for the improvement of quality learning.

Also speaking, Magdalene Anene- Maidah, UNESCO, Abuja Office, revealed that the project is funded by the European Union, while technical support were provided by UNESCO.

She submitted that building a cluster of teachers at community level is crucial in promoting teachers — students based teaching and learning in various communities.

She also emphasized the need for teachers to be familiar with the elements in the new reversed curriculum and versatile with the use of Information Communication Technology for effective teaching and learning.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Oyo State, Professor Salihu Adelabu, said the EU- UNESCO project align with the education agenda of the present administration in the State .

Prof. Adelabu expressed gratitude to the European Union for selecting Oyo State as a key partner in the educational development project of such magnitude.

E- Signed

Media Team, MoES&T,

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has sworn in Mr. Rotimi Babalola and forty-seven (47) as newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in the State Civil/Public Service, urging them to discharge their duties effectively and do their best for the State.

He urged the new Permanent Secretaries to work hand in hand with his Government to achieve its vision of sustainable development in the State.

The Governor stated this at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, on Monday, shortly after the Oaths of Office and Allegiance were administered to the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries.

Governor Makinde described the event as historic, adding that the process of their appointments was based on objectivity, merit and without any interference from anywhere.

The Governor noted that the appointment of Permanent Secretaries in education and local government sectors was done to encourage and motivate people working silently and also to institutionalize the sectors in the service.

He congratulated the new Permanent Secretaries, while he also appreciated the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, for handling the appointment processes diligently.

Governor Makinde said: “History is being made today, because appointing 48 permanent secretaries is no joke but those are vacancies that have to be filled. We didn’t play politics with it. We did not create those positions, as they have been in existence. It’s just that over time, we have had mostly Coordinating Directors but now, we have appointed Permanent Secretaries.

“If you remember, when this administration came in, what we met on ground was a situation where the appointment of Permanent Secretaries was discretionary. But we started a new culture when we came in. We had the exam and we were picking from the list.

“Let me use this opportunity to thank the Head of Service for handling this situation diligently. She deserves all the accolades. You will notice that in the education sector, we took time to appoint Inspectors-General and Tutors -general.

“Our future is about how we are able to educate our children because they are the future. So, if you have people that are contributing to building our future, how do you encourage them? That is why we opened up that space so as to institutionalize the process whereby teachers and people in the education sector can also be compensated.

“The same obtains for those in the local government sector. At the local government level, we felt that you have people also toiling day and night because it’s the closest government to the people. But every time I look through the record, I see that it is always a token for the LG. We are trying to redress that so that we can encourage the people working at that level to be at the peak of their career as well.

“When you work hard, the reward is more work. So, I want to say to you that this is just the beginning. You have to put in your best to justify the appointment.

“Also, you need to know that you swore to an oath to be fair to everybody. So, don’t forget the oath when you are taking decisions and writing memos.

“Please do your best for our State. ”The 48 new Permanent Secretaries include three (3) Permanent Secretaries earlier appointed and fifteen (15) newly-appointed Permanent Secretaries from the mainstream; fifteen (15) from the Education sector comprising Inspectors-General of Education and Tutors-General; and six (6) from the health sector.

Others are seven (7) from the local government sector; Permanent Secretary/Clerk of the House and the Surveyor-General of the State.

The event had in attendance the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; PDP National Deputy Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; former deputy governors, Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi and Barr. Hasim Gbolarumi; Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi and Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni.

Also in attendance were former Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Oyo State PDP Secretary, Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke; chairman and co-chairman, Oyo State Elders Council, Dr Saka Balogun and Elder Wole Oyelese as well as commissioners, among others dignitaries.

The Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo fas ftwas has advised Secretaries of the Local Government in the State to work harmoniously with their chairmen for accelerated development at the grassroot level.

She stated this while hosting the Forum of Secretaries of Local Government, Oyo State Chapter at the SSG’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan.

She said the State Government would mandate Local Government Chairmen to always come with their Secretaries to official functions of the State in order to foster growth and unity within the local government system.

The Secretary to the State Government said Governor Seyi Makinde has been enjoying support from the good people of Oyo State since he assumed duty in 2019, hinting that, the Governor has also been rewarding people with good governance in the State.

She said “the Constituency I have is Governor Seyi Makinde, our Governor is running people-centric Government and I am happy to be part of it as a University Scholar”.

Professor Adeyemo congratulated all the Local Government Secretaries in the State for being part of the Omituntun 2.0, urging them to put more effort and work harmoniously with their chairmen to bring dividends of democracy to the door steps of the masses.

Responding, the State Coordinator of the Forum, who is also the Secretary, Egbeda Local Government area of Oyo State, Hon. Mrs Temitope Aworele commended Governor Seyi Makinde for giving them the opportunity to serve at the grassroots level.

Hon. Aworele said the Forum would work for the success of Governor Seyi Makinde’s Omituntun 2.0 at Local Government level.

Abiodun Atilola
Media Officer to the SSG/HOS

The Executive Governor of Oyo State Engineer Seyi Makinde has disclosed that the present administration would turn things around for better than before for Civil/Public Servants in the State.

He stated this during the 2024 Public Service Week and the 2023 Productivity Merit Award Day held at Civic Center, Idi -Ape, Ibadan.

The Governor said the State Government has good working relationship with the labour unions that would benefit all workers in the State.

He said “I will always be honest with the people of Oyo State, tomorrow would be better for us in the State, we are working to make life more bearable for all Civil Servants in the State”.

He added that since he assumed office in 2019 as the Governor of the State, things have been progressing, hinting that, he would work more for things to get better in the State.

In her welcome address, the State Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni commended Governor Seyi Makinde for making 2024 Public Service Week a reality, hinting that, the Governor’s commitment to the welfare and development of the public sector deserves commendation.

She admonished Civil/Public Servants in the State to imbibe the principles of loyalty to the State, saying that, transparency, integrity and accountability in decision making would move the State forward.

She said “this year’s theme “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century” underscores the necessity for resilience, Education is vital for individual growth and collective progress, it is one of the cardinal programmes of Governor Seyi Makinde administration as encapsulated in the State Roadmap to Sustainable Development (2023 to 2027) which priorities the promotion of education, equity and human capital development”.

The Head of Service stated further that, the present administration in the State under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde ensures Regular Salary Payments, Economic Relief for the Civil Servants and the entire citizens, Professional Development/Capacity Building and the Succession Planning Strategy through Continuous Recruitment exercise into the Ministries Departments and Agencies.

The Public Service Week celebration is in line with the 1999 Tangier Declaration by African Ministers for Public Service aimed at recognizing and celebrating the values and virtues of service in the country.

In his lecture titled; “Enhancing the Skill and Knowledge of Public Servants to meet Evolving Societal Needs”. The Vice Chancellor, Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan, Professor Adesola Ajayi enjoined civil servants to embark on self-development on their Job.

Ajayi pointed out that civil servants of today must be skilled-up with digital knowledge, specialized training in their various fields as well as capacity building, saying that, public servants are the backbone of Government operations.

Abiodun Atilola
Media Officer to the SSG/HOS

The grand finale of the year 2024 Public Service Week and the 2023 Productivity/Merit Award ceremony has commenced on Friday with Jumat Service at the Secretariat Central Mosque, lecture and award presentation by Governor Seyi Makinde would come up at the Ibadan Civic Center, Idi Ape, Ibadan.

In a statement issued and signed in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, by the Committee Chairman for the Week, Mrs Christiana Abioye enjoined Civil/Public Servants to attend the programme as a matter of duty.

The statement said “in view of the approval of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer. Seyi Makinde FNSE for the conduct of the year 2024 Civil/Public Service Week and 2023 Productivity/Merit Award for distinguished Civil/Public Servants, the Grand Finale of the 2024 Public/Civil Service Week shall hold on Wednesday, 4th December, 2024 at Ibadan Civic Center, Idi Ape, Ibadan.

“All members of Staff are enjoined to attend the series of activities lined up for the programme”.

The statement added further that “JUMAAH SERVICE WOULD HOLD AT SECRETARIAT CENTRAL MOSQUE at 1:00PM ON FRIDAY, 29TH NOVEMBER,

CHURCH SERVICE AT CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST PETERS, AREMO at 10AM ON SUNDAY, 1ST DECEMBER,

3RD PLACE MATCH ON TUESDAY, 3RD DECEMBER AT LEKAN SALAMI STADIUM – 2:00PM

NOVELTY MATCH SAME DAY AT SAME VENUE – 3:00PM

WINNER’S MATCH AT SAME DAY AND SAME VENUE — 4 PM

GRAND FINALE/PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD DAY AT IBADAN CIVIC CENTER ON WEDNESDAY 4TH DECEMBER, 2024 – 10AM. THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE

1. HEALTH TALKS AND CULTURAL DISPLAY
2. PRESENTATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE LECTURE BY Vice Chancellor ABIOLA AJIMOBI TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY – PROF. SOLA AJAYI AND A DISCUSSANT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN – PROF. OMOBOWALE

III. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS AND PLAQUES TO DISTINGUISHED AWARDEES OF MDAS, Outstanding MDAS AND BEST FOOTBALL TEAM”

.. As Onikoko Residents Commend Governor Makinde

The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo has said that the present Administration in the State would continue to support residents Association across the State.

She stated this while hosting the Onikoko Residents Association on a courtesy visit at the SSG’s conference room, Secretariat, Ibadan.

The Secretary to the State Government said the purpose of leadership is for good governance which the present Administration in the State under the leadership of Engineer Seyi Makinde stands for.

She hinted that the State Government would continue to protect the lives and property of the citizens by putting in place security personnel across the State to ensure that the residents sleep with their two eyes closed.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Onikoko Close Residents Association, Elder Ayo Ojeniyi commended the State Government for approving Eighty Thousand Naira minimum wage for the State workers, saying that, if that could happen to workers, the populace would also enjoy the dividends of democracy in the State.

Ojeniyi said. “Even the Oil producing States are only paying Seventy-Three Thousand Naira Only and Oyo State is paying above them, we should commend   Governor Seyi Makinde for prioritizing workers welfare in Oyo State.

Abiodun Atilola

Media Officer to the SSG/HOS

NIGERIAN DEFENCE ACADEMY SCREENING TEST FOR 76 REGULAR COURSE

The Nigerian Defence Academy Screening Test (NDAST) for regular Course is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 25th May, 2024.

The CBT Exams is scheduled for three periods the same day.

Oyo State has been designated as one of the 16 centers for the screening test and the venue is now Ibadan Jamb Office, Agodi G.R.A, Ibadan.

Candidates are advised to check their Jamb site for further information on the (NDAST) Examination time table.

Listeners are enjoined to please circulate this information to the eligible candidate of Oyo State Origin that Nigerian Defence Academy Screening Test (NDAST) will commence by 7:00am prompt on Saturday 25th, May, 2024 at the Jamb Office, Agodi GRA, Ibadan.

I thank you.

ANNOUNCER

Professor Olanike Adeyemo

NIGERIAN ARMY RECRUITMENT EXERCISE FOR 87 REGULAR RECRUITS INTAKE FOR TRADES/NON TRADESMEN AND WOMEN

This is to inform the General Public that the recruitment process into the 87 Regular Recruits Intake for Trades/Non Tradesmen and women has commenced between 3rd May and 7th June, 2024.

Interested Candidates are expected to log into the Nigerian Army Recruitment Website https://recruitment.army.mil.ng to complete the online registration before 7th June, 2024.

Applicants must not be less than 18 years or more than 22 years for Non – tradesman/men and women, while tradesmen and women must not be more than 26 years as at 30th June, 2024.

Applicants from Oyo State Origin are expected to obtain Oyo State Indigeneship Certificate at room 57, Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan or at Abuja or Lagos to confirm that they are bonafide indigenes of the State.

Listeners are enjoined to please circulate this information to the eligible indigene of Oyo State, as  the opportunity will lapse on Friday, 7th June, 2024.

Thank you.

ANNOUNCER

Professor Olanike Adeyemo

Secretary to the Oyo State Government

..assures adequate support to GPE BESDA-AF Project in Oyo

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, said that Education remains the driver of Oyo State’s development.

The Governor, who spoke through his Deputy, Barr ‘Bayo Lawal, while hosting the members  of World Bank and Global Partnership for Education Project BESDA-AF-TESS in his office, Secretariat, Ibadan, assured adequate support to Better Education Service Delivery for All (GPE Financed Alternative Funding).

The Governor explained that his administration will continue to prioritize education, saying it remains one of the pillars of his administration.

He maintained that education is in the forefront of the present administration’s activities and is one of the main tenets of the administration’s agenda, while emphasizing that the current administration has allocated about 21 percent of its budget to education.

He pledged that the Oyo State will put in place all necessary mechanisms to ensure the successful implementation of the project in the State .

He, therefore, admonished them  not to entertain fear regarding what needed to be done as a State.

According to him, “Oyo State hosts the first university in Nigeria,  founded in 1940 , in Ibadan and the first teaching hospital , the university college, which is in Ibadan and the first research institute .

“We have attached importance to our development in education because it’s the driver for development.

“If the young ones are not educated, the future is impoverished as the State takes education significantly.

“We thank you for coming, as your coming is a reminder of what we have been doing in Nigeria. Education has impacted positively on the lives of our people, and we believe that education is sine-qua-non.

“I am reassuring you that the Oyo State Government will give adequate support for your mission. We are going to look at those areas of challenges you have identified.

In his brief remark, the commissioner for Education,  Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, noted that the State is working assiduously on the issue of grants disbursement and also the recruitment of primary school teachers and redeployment of teachers.

Earlier, the National Project coordinator, Dr. (Mrs.) Folake -David,  said BESDA is an educational programme geared towards providing better, accessible and equitable education to Nigerian citizens.

She revealed that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the State Government, is being assisted by the World Bank to ensure every citizen has access to qualitative education with a view to reducing the out of school children in the Country.

She said the BESDA AF-TESS, Project is being run  in the major three states: Oyo, Adamawa and Kastina, saying it is a 4-year programme, that commenced in 2022 and to be ended by October, 2025.

She explained that Oyo State has been on the top of the game but needs to move faster in the area of disbursement of grants; construction of classrooms and recruitment of Teachers to Primary Schools.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman, Oyo State Teaching Service Commission, Pastor Akinade Alamu, Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education, Dr. Nureni Adeniran and the hosts of others.

SALES OF SCRATCH CARDS FOR COMMON ENTRANCE EXAMINATION INTO AIR FORCE MILITARY SCHOOL AND AIR FORCE GIRLS MILITARY SCHOOL, JOS 2024/2025 ACADEMIC SESSION

This is to inform the General Public that the sales of scratch cards for online registration for entrance examination into JSS One of Air Force Military School, (AFMS) and Air Force Girls Military School (AFGMS), Jos for 2024/2025 Academic Session have commenced from 20th February, 2024 and will end on 13th April, 2024.

Candidates are to purchase the Scratch Cards and past question Booklets at the cost of #1,500 and 500 respectfully at room 53, Office of the Governor, Secretariat, Ibadan.

Listeners are enjoined to please inform all eligible Candidates of Oyo State Origin that the portal for the online registration is open for Common Entrance Examination into Air Force  Military School and Air Force Girls Military School. Jos for 2024 /2025 academic session and will end on 13th April, 2024.

Thank you.

ANNOUNCER

Professor Olanike Adeyemo FAS FTWAS, Secretary to the Oyo State Government .