Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi (Right); in a warm handshake with an Awardee, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; next to the Governor is his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, during the Conferment of Fellow of College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti on Olanipekun, at the 21st Convocation Ceremony of the Institution, in Ikere-Ekiti... on Thursday.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has stated that his administration will not venture into the establishment of a University of Education in the state until the State Government has enough resources to adequately cater for the existing tertiary institutions.
The Governor spoke as two serving Senators: Oluremi Tinubu and Sola Adeyeye and legal icon, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), were conferred with the fellowship award of the College of Education Ikere Ekiti, at the institution’s 21st Convocation ceremony in Ikere- Ekiti on Thursday.
Dr. Fayemi recalled that the three Universities in the State were at the inception of his administration merged into one as a result of the recommendations of the Education Summit that was held in 2011 with the sole aim of establishing a productive and result-driven University that would effect a connection between the gown and town in the grandaunts.
The Governor emphasised that he would never be a party to the establishment of a “glorified secondary school masquerading as a University” especially at a time that all efforts are geared towards revamping the education sector of the State.
Governor Fayemi who had earlier commissioned for use the refurbished College Guest House, an ambulance, two buses and two Toyota Corolla cars, said despite the plethora of economic challenges that beset the state, government had not shirked in the prompt release of subventions as well as implementing the various welfare packages including the new salary structure for tertiary institutions in the state.
This gesture, he said, was aimed at making the State’s tertiary institutions “centres of Excellence, with high standard of teaching and a culture of sustained learning”.
While expressing displeasure at the erosion of educational values in Ekiti and Nigeria as seen in the abysmal performance of students in public examinations, Fayemi said the various reforms in the education sector are not targeted at individuals or a group of people who were affected by such reforms. Rather, he said the reforms were the outcome of the Education Summit.
The Governor added that the College has roles to play in the ongoing education reform as it could help in enhancing quality teaching especially as government is now exposing teachers to trainings and seminars to enhance their performances.
On the award recipients, Fayemi said the conferment speaks volume about the credentials of the awardees whom he described as worthy.
The Governor also charged the 12,100 grandaunts to be worthy ambassadors of the State wherever they go; urging them not to relent but always strife hard to be the best in their chosen careers.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Wole Olanipekun commended the Fayemi-led administration for restoring the College making it known to the law of Ekiti State; noting that the College was practically non-existent during the Oni-led regime as the assets and liability of the School were transferred to the then University of Education Ikere and University of Science and Technology, Ifaki Ekiti.
The legal icon agreed to the stance of the State Government on the merger of the three Universities; saying it was clear that the State Government could not successful fund the three institutions because of the meagre resources that accrue to it.
Olanipekun urged Fayemi to continue to give support to the College, especially its autonomy; adding that he too would contribute to the development of the institution.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu in her remarks commended the State Government for the support given the school; saying that she was impressed that the school has improved within two years of Fayemi’s administration.
Tinubu added that a nation is only as good as the quality of education it invests in its people.
At the event were the Wife of the Governor Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Professor Dipo Aina, Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Professor Modupe Adelabu, Business mogul Chief Mrs. Abba Folawiyo, among others.
Last modified: January 17, 2013
