SUBEB

To provide basic education that will make every child that goes through it be morally sound, and be equipped to be useful to himself, family, community and society that large

Mission:

To revitalize and overhaul basic education sector in Ekiti State through creative and innovative ideas that would provide enabling environment for adequate learning processes in schools

October 29, 2024 News:

Ekiti SUBEB Suspends Education Secretary, Head Teacher Over Allegations of Misconduct.

The Executive Chairman of Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Femi Akinwumi has announced the suspension of the Education Secretary of Ikere Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Mr. Gbenro Buraimoh and the Head Teacher of Elemi Community N/P School, Ado Ekiti, Mrs. Olaniyi Catherine over allegations of misconduct.

Prof. Akinwumi who made the pronouncement in Ado Ekiti, said the decision to suspend the officials became necessary after repeated warnings to the Education Secretary and the Head Teacher over allegations of breaching extant rules of the board.

According to the SUBEB Boss, the Education Secretary was accused of violating the extant rules of the board such as; deliberately delaying official matters, irregular appointment of Teachers of junior ranks into duty posts as well as granting leave of absence to teachers without recourse to the board and postings of high number of teachers to schools with low pupils enrollment in farmsteads thereby causing underutilization of staff and financial shortage to the government

The Board directed the Education Secretary to hand over to Dr. Akande Oluwafemi of the Quality Assurance Department of the Board who is to take over as Acting Education Secretary with immediate effect.

The affected education secretary was also ordered to hand over all government properties in his possession to the Head of Administration in the LGEA.

In the same vein ,the suspended Head Teacher, Mrs. Catherine Olaniyi who was indicted for writing an inflammatory letter to the public, demanding for unauthorized financial assistance towards implementation of an SBMC-SIP project in her school
was ordered to handover all government documents in her possession to the most senior assistant Head Teacher in the school with immediate effect, pending further determination of her case.

Prof. Akinwumi said the board has zero tolerance for anything that could tarnish the good reputation of the state government, stressing that the state Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji is working round the clock to provide enabling teaching/learning environment in the basic education sector.

He re-echoed the free education policy of the state government, adding that government would continue to clamp down on perpetrators of fraudulent activities in public schools

The Chairman noted that the suspensions would serve as deterrent to other staff, warning that the board would never condone any act of indiscipline among the SUBEB workforce. Read more: https://www.eksginfo.ng/2024/10/28/ekiti-subeb-suspends-education-secretary-head-teacher-over-allegations-of-misconduct/

October 27,2024 News:

Ekiti SUBEB Chairman Dissociates Board from SBMC’s Soliciting Financial Support for School’s Project

The Executive Chairman of Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Femi Akinwumi has dissociated the Board from the purported letter written by the School Based Management Committee of Elemi Community Primary School, Afao Road, Ado Ekiti which has elicited controversies on the social media alleging the Board demanding for financial assistance to execute infrastructural projects in government owned primary school.

Prof. Akinwumi while reacting to the letter said it was part of the strategies by the Universal Basic Education Commission in collaboration with SUBEBs to embark on execution of SBMC’s projects known as SBMC – SIP for the purpose of improving on the infrastructural facilities of public primary schools across the states of the Federation.

He highlighted the projects to include Micro,, Macro and Special Case whereby a total sum of N1 million, N2.5 million and N5 million is budgeted for the projects respectively, adding that for each of the projects, the SBMC of the benefitting Schools are expected to provide 10 percent of the project fund as counterpart fund before approval is given by UBEC.

According to him, the school was being proposed for a macro project for a sum of N 2.5 million and was expected to pay the counterpart fund of N250, 000 only, adding that the aim was to claim ownership for the community and the school’s SBMC for the purpose of safeguarding the projects against damages and vandalism.

Prof. Akinwumi however denounced the attitudes of the SBMC of Elemi Community Primary School, Ado Ekiti for looking outside its SBMC for unspecified fund to finance a project yet to be approved for the school and described such as sabotage against the free and compulsory education policy of the state government.

While affirming that the SBMC has the provisional right to provide for the 10 percent counterpart fund in both cash and kind to make it eligible for the programme, it was not part of its duties to go about asking members of public for donations in churches and other religious settings. describing such as move against the government which is working round the clock to provide an enabling environment for effective teaching and learning to take place in the state’s public primary schools

In a letter written to the School’s SBMC to condemn the action, Prof. Akinwumi said the school has always enjoyed Government’s presence as a block of 3 classrooms was recently constructed for the school, adding that the school was also considered for perimeter fencing in the on – going 2023 UBEC/SUBEB Intervention projects.

The letter reads in part, ” It came to me and the state government as an embarrassment that the above named school has written a letter to the public soliciting for fund to execute a project.

“It is true that UBEC in collaboration with SUBEBs from time to time embark on micro macro and special case projects known as SBMC-SIP to execute infrastructural projects which is part of the commission’s school improvement strategies

“However, neither UBEC nor SUBEB expected the SBMC of any school where such project is to be executed to raise a 10 % counterpart fund outside its SBMC

“To this end, the State Universal Basic Education Board absolutely dissociates from the move by Elemi Community Primary School Afao road Ado Ekiti and condemns the act, as it was against the free education policy of the state government.”

The Chairman said the SUBEB Management has stepped into the matter for thorough investigation and directed the withdrawal of the letter which he said did not get the approval of the Board and the State Government..

He urged the public to disregard the on – line media report in connection with the purported letter, saying that it was the imagination of mischievous elements who always look for frivolous reasons to discredit the present administration and disrupt the good image of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, adding that no amount of media propaganda would ever deter him from working for the state.

October 25, 2024 News:

𝐆𝐨𝐯. 𝐎𝐲𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐢 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝟑.𝟓 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐔𝐁𝐄𝐂/𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐄𝐁 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji has approved the payment of a sum of N3,554,642,584.46 as counterpart funds for execution of 2024 UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects.

This is coming on the heels of last Tuesday’s opening of bid signaling the commencement of the 2023 UBEC /SUBEB projects.

Read More: https://www.eksginfo.ng/2024/10/25/gov-oyebanji-approves-payment-of-over-n3-5-billion-counterpart-funds-for-2024-ubec-subeb-intervention-projects/

October 24, 2024 News:

Ekiti SUBEB OPENS BIDS

…warns contractors against sharp practices, shoddy jobs and delay in projects execution

Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, says it would not tolerate substandard jobs or delay in the execution of projects by contractors

The Executive Chairman of the Board, Prof Femi Akinwumi gave the warning in Ado – Ekiti during the bid opening ceremony signaling the commencement of the awards process for 2023 UBEC/ SUBEB Intervention projects in the State.

Addressing contractors and stakeholders at the event, the SUBEB boss  stated that the board would ensure strict compliance with the UBEC/SUBEB guidelines  and the State procurement law in awarding the contracts adding that no contractor with history of abandoned project, invalid tax clearance, low financial capability, or doubtful records would be considered for award of contracts by Ekiti SUBEB.

While assuring contractors participating in the tendering process of a level playing ground ,he however warned  against violation of contract agreement, stressing that any contractor that failed to work according to specifications would be blacklisted and made to refund the money collected.

The Chairman lauded the unprecedented achievements of the state governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji in providing enabling environment for development of the basic education sector.

He added that the present administration has continued to prioritize the welfare of teachers and development of schools’ infrastructures as evident in payment of running grants to schools, procurement and distribution of instructional materials, training and retraining of teachers, payment of car and housing loans to teachers and elevation of degree holding teachers from GL.15 to GL.16 among other record breaking achievements.

Prof Femi Akinwumi described the occasion as another remarkable effort of the governor in turning around infrastructures in the state’s public primary schools in order to further actualize the vision of providing conducive teaching and learning environment in the state’s public primary schools.

The SUBEB Boss said that apart from payment of counterpart funds of over N1.3 billion for execution of the projects, the governor has assured the readiness to approve payment of counterpart fund for the 2024 (UBEC/ SUBEB) intervention projects

Prof. Akinwumi who described the Bid opening ceremony as further manifestation of the state government’s collaboration with UBEC for the advancement of basic education, said that due process was strictly followed as prescribed by Bureau of Public Procurement and UBEC before inviting the contractors for tenders resulting in recipients of bid proposals from many reputable registered contractors.

He reiterated the resolve of the state government to pay the contractors in full after successful completion of their contracts and therefore called on contractors to deliver the jobs on time

Highlights of the ceremony include symbolic bid opening by one of the contractors, opening of bid by the Executive Chairman, SUBEB Commissioners, the management team and other dignitaries.

Among the job descriptions for the 2023 UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects are construction of blocks of classrooms, water system toilets with deep well, overhead tank and generator, procurement of furniture items for teachers and pupils, and perimeter fencing of school premises.

SUBEB Chairman, Prof. Akinwumi Celebrates Gov. Oyebanji Outstanding Achievements on 2nd Year Anniversary

The Executive Chairman of Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Femi Akinwumi has congratulated the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji on the occasion of his second year anniversary in office.

Prof. Akinwumi in a statement titled “Professor Akinwumi Commends Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s  Outstanding Achievements in Two Years”, described Oyebanji as a diligent and hardworking leader who is dedicated to the progress of the state and the well-being of his people.

He highlighted the governor’s notable achievements in infrastructures, healthcare, education and economic development, emphasizing that his leadership has brought about significant and unprecedented progress in the state.

The statement reads  “Governor Oyebanji’s leadership and significant strides have cut across various sectors, including road infrastructures, pensioners’ welfare, healthcare development and especially education at the basic level. His initiatives have led to improved contributions from educators as well as enhanced pupils’ performance and behavior”

The SUBEB boss commended the governor’s unwavering commitment to basic education and the well-being of teachers which have set for him a new record for visionary, excellent and unparalleled leadership.

According to Prof. Akinwumi, “the exemplary and unwavering commitment of the governor to the development of basic education in the state is highly commendable, for within the past two years, the BAO administration has demonstrated a remarkable vision for progress, fostering development and enhancing the welfare of our teachers.”

While noting that the governor’s kind – heartedness is God’s blessing to Ekiti State,  Prof. Akinwumi called for more strategic support for the governor to ensure continuity of his administration for a second term in office in order to continue to enjoy the shared prosperity of his government.

He prayed for divine strength and wisdom to continue to lead Ekiti State to greater heights in the years ahead.

EKITI SUBEB ORDERS ESTABLISHMENT OF FUNCTIONAL LIBRARIES IN PUBLIC
PRIMARY SCHOOLS

The Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has directed
head teachers of public primary schools in the State to ensure that
they have functional libraries in their schools.

The Head teachers are to post teachers from their existing staff to
serve as Teachers/Librarians who would properly supervise the
libraries.

Executive Chairman of the Ekiti SUBEB, Prof Femi Akinwumi who gave the
directive in Ado-Ekiti during a sensitization meeting with head
teachers in the State, said that the libraries should take off with
the books and other reading resources provided for schools in the last
few years by UBEC and the Board, adding that the appointed
teachers/librarians should ensure that the available resources are
properly arranged and utilized.

Explaining that the directive was aimed at improving reading culture
amongst pupils of public primary schools, Prof. Akinwumi noted that
regular reading exercises the brain, improves concentration and the
ability to focus as well as enhance the general knowledge of pupils,
stressing that the focus is to inspire pupils to master the art of
reading and understanding early in life.

Akinwumi said that library/reading periods should be observed at least
twice a week while the head teachers must encourage programmes that
would promote reading activities such as reading competitions,
establishment of young readers club as well as observation of book and
literacy days.

Earlier in his welcome address the SUBEB Director of Quality Assurance
, Mr. Mathew Owolabi explained that the awareness programme was a
follow up to the National Assessment of Learning in Basic Education
(NALABE) exercise conducted in schools in the state by the Universal
Basic Education Commission in the last quarter of 2022 .

He assured that his department in collaboration with the Archival and
Documentation unit would include the monitoring of libraries and other
newly introduced activities in its proposed monitoring of schools
scheduled to commence soon.

Also speaking, the Head of the SUBEB Archives and Documentation, Mr
Biodun Adeoye urged participants at the forum to ensure strict
compliance with the resolutions of meeting in their various schools.

Ekiti SUBEB partners NGO for free ICT training of teachers.

The Executive Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education
Board(SUBEB), Prof. Femi Akinwumi has stressed that the Board would
continue to establish linkages with donor agencies , Development
Partners and reputable Non Governmental Organizations towards
improving the quality of Basic Education in public primary and Junior
secondary schools in the State.

Prof Akinwumi made the pledge in Ado- Ekiti during a sensitization
meeting with stakeholders, organised by the Board in conjunction with a
Non Governmental Organization, AZESSWORLD Technologies Ltd.preparatory
for the commencement of a three month free computer training for
teachers in public primary and Junior Secondary Schools in the state.

He described Information Communication Technology(ICT) as a
particularly crucial factor in modern education, because it helps
facilitate the teaching and learning processes and make them more
effective.

According to the SUBEB Chairman, ICT also promotes the acquisition of
21st Century skills and also enhances teacher training and
professional development.

He noted that managers of education in the public primary schools in
the state need to embrace the modern trend in communication by
acquainting themselves with the global best practices, adding that the
world is now a global village.

The SUBEB Boss also charged participants, who were mainly Education
Secretaries, to ensure that teachers in public primary school
are mobilized for the ICT training programme which will be held at
designated centers in all the 16 local government areas of the State.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, SUBEB, Mr Adedayo Ajobiewe
assured the organizers of maximum cooperation of all participants and
also promising a conducive environment for the success of the program.

He however urged the education secretaries to galvanize their teachers
to key-into the 3- month free computer training programme in order to
make themselves more ICT compliant.

The program coordinator, AZESSWORLD Technologies Ltd., Engr Ubong
Abasi said that the training was organized to boost the capacity of
the Education Secretaries and public primary teachers on computer
literacy.

He disclosed that participants who are successful at the end of the
programme would be certificated by the Computer Professionals
Registration Council of Nigeria (CIPN)

He assured the board that the programme, which would be decentralized
across the various local government areas for ease of access for all
participants, would not affect academic activities in schools

Responding on behalf of all Education Secretaries in the state, the
Ado Local Government Education Secretary, Mr Toyin Omotoso assured the
organizers of a hitch-free program throughout the entire duration of
the
proposed training exercise.

Oyebanji’s wife seeks improved attention on basic education.

Education remains the brain behind development and socio-economic
growth in all sectors of economy, therefore, it should be given
special attention it deserves.

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji announced this at
Ido-Ekiti while delivering lecture at a summit organized by State
Universal Basic Education Board to train Education secretaries and
head teachers.

Dr Oyebanji who explained that Basic Education was the pillar upon
which other levels of education rested, called on Education
Secretaries piloting the affairs of basic schools to be well equipped
for the  task of ensuring effective delivery of quality learning and
teaching process.

She encouraged the participants to engage in peer review on regular
basis for cross fertilization of ideals and experience sharing.

” I want to appeal to you to put in place effective mechanism for
regular feedback to SUBEB from the Local Government Education
Authorities through report writing and periodic meeting with the
Board.”

The first lady also suggested the need for the education Secretaries
to ensure sufficient skill in ICT literacy by at least, 80% for their
teachers’  to boost their confidence and Morales.

Dr Olayemi however solicited an improved funding of Local Government
Education Authorities to enhance their functionalities.

Earlier, the Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board,
Professor Femi Akinwumi charged Executive Secretaries not to deviate
from the purpose for which they were appointed by being committed to
effective monitoring of schools.

Ekiti SUBEB Boss tasks Education Secretaries on need to enhance value
of Education in LGEAs

The Executive Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education ,
Prof. Femi Akinwumi has charged Education Secretaries in the 16 Local
Government Education Authorities in the state to use their positions
as education managers to enhance the values of education in their
respective Local Governments Education Authorities.

Prof. Akinwumi gave the charge during an “Induction and Orientation
Workshop for the newly appointed Education Secretaries and their
Operational Heads of Departments” organized in Ado Ekiti by the
Board’s Department of Teachers Development.

He reiterated that the event was organized to guide the performances
of the Education Secretaries in order to enable them function
appropriately in their various work schedules.

Delivering a lecture on “The Roles of Education Officers in Management
of Universal Basic Education”, the SUBEB Boss urged the participants
to carry their subordinates along in whatever they do as management is
an integral part of good leadership.

He described hard work, abiding by the due process as well as law and
order , respect for the rights of other citizens as basic ingredients
for good leadership stressing that poverty is due to lack of effective
management or administration of available resources.

Prof. Akinwumi therefore, urged the new appointees to cultivate the
right attitude and mentality in the discharge of their duties to
create a reliable future for the Education Sector in the country.

Earlier in his remark, the Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State SUBEB, Mr
Adedayo Ajobiewe stated that the training was not just to improve the
efficiency and performance of the Education Secretaries but also to
serve as a refresher course for the Heads of Departments that will
work with them.

Mr Ajobiewe, while congratulating the new appointees, urged them to
avail themselves of the opportunity of programme to work effectively
in promoting quality basic education in the State.

He also stressed the importance of the workshop, stating that it would
enrich the managerial capabilities of the Education Secretaries.

Delivering his good will message at the event, the Universal Basic
Education (UBEC) Executive Secretary, Dr Hammid Boboyi, represented by
the Ekiti State UBEC State Coordinator, Mr Tokunbo Olajubu enjoined
the Education Secretaries to put “all hands on deck” towards effective
implementation of basic education in the State.

EKITI SUBEB CHAIRMAN PLEDGES COMPLIANCE TO UBEC/ SUBEB 2022
INTERVENTION PROJECTS IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES.
……..Says erring contractors would be sanctioned.

The Executive Chairman of Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board
(Ekiti SUBEB), Prof Femi Akinwumi has flagged off the opening of
tenders for the UBEC/SUBEB 2022 intervention projects in the State
with a pledge that the board would ensure strict compliance to the
UBEC guidelines and the State Procurement Act in the award of the
contracts and monitoring of the projects.

Speaking at the bid opening ceremony in
Ado-Ekiti ,the SUBEB Boss who assured all companies that took part in
the tendering process of a level playing field however warned that
any contractor who wins the bid and fails to work in line with the job
specification would be blacklisted and made to refund the money
collected.

Prof. Akinwumi urged the contractors to abide by the project execution processes
and give value for the money they would be paid on the proposed
projects so that the vision of government to provide conducive
teaching and learning environment in all public schools in the state
can be realized in good time.

The Chairman who recalled that the administration of Governor Biodun
Oyebanji earlier this year approved the payment of over N1.2 billion
counterpart funds to cover the 2022 matching grants to UBEC, described
the bid opening ceremony as a “follow up activity
to the payment made by the State government and yet another bold
step by the administration towards providing all children of school
age in the state with unfettered access to free and qualitative
education
through the provision of conducive teaching and learning environment
in public schools across the state.”

He said the bold steps taken by Governor Oyebanji in the basic
education sector in the past eight months has further strengthened and
consolidated the successes recorded from October 2018 to 2022 by the
immediate past administration of his predecessor , Dr John Kayode
Fayemi in the sector in the State, adding that payment of the N1.2
billion matching grants to UBEC laid the foundation for the bid
opening ceremony and the entire UBEC/ SUBEB 2022 Intervention Projects
that was about to begin.

“ If you all recall ,Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji earlier this
year approved the payment of over N1.2 billion counterpart funds to
UBEC to cover the 2022 matching grants to the commission and it is
this singular move of the Governor that laid the foundation of today’s
event. For the avoidance of doubt, today’s occasion clearly
underscores the policy of Governor Oyebanji to consolidate and build
on the successes recorded from October 2018 to 2022 by the immediate
past administration of his predecessor , Dr John Kayode Fayemi in the
Basic Education sector in the State. I believe that everyone can now
clearly see the beauty of continuity in governance”, Akinwumi posited.

He disclosed that projects that would be executed in Government owned
primary and junior secondary schools across the state under the
UBEC/SUBEB 2022 intervention projects include: Construction of blocks
of classrooms, perimeter fences ,water system toilets with deep wells,
overhead tanks and generators as well as renovation of Blocks of
classrooms ,drilling of modern boreholes with
generators and overhead tanks with fetching stands and the procurement
of furniture items for teachers, pupils and students

Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of Ekiti
SUBEB, Mr Adedayo Ajobiewe assured the contractors that the bidding
process would be transparent while also informing the stakeholders
that all contractors will get equal bidding opportunity.

Mr Ajobiewe also noted that due process would be followed in the
bidding exercise which was observed by the UBEC State Coordinator ,
Mr. Tokunbo Olajubu , representatives of the State Bureau of Public
Procurement , the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning , Ministry
of Justice and other key stakeholders and regulatory bodies in the
sector including the representative of Civil Society Action Coalition
For All (CSACEFA) .

Be professional in the discharge of your duties, Ekiti SSG charges
newly recruited teachers.

The Ekiti State Government has called the newly recruited public
primary school teachers in the State to be dutiful and professional in
the discharge of their duties for national development.

The Secretary to the State Government Dr Habibat Omolara Adubiaro made
the call at the opening ceremony of a 3 day skills improvement
workshop for the newly recruited teachers held in Ado -Ekiti.

Dr. Adubiaro, who described the workshop as a testimony of Mr.
Governor’s promise and unwavering commitment to intellectual capacity
development in the state,
expressed delight at the current crops of individuals selected to
shape the future of young people in the state.

“As educators, we hold a key role in the development of our societies,
and your role is at the very heart of shaping the future of the
nation,

as a pillar of knowledge and inspiration,the impact you all are about
to have on the lives of young minds can not be overemphasized”. She
said.

Dr Adubiaro noted that teaching was a demanding but a noble profession
which has necessitated the 3 days workshop to enhance teaching
skills,with an urge to the trainees to embrace and take the program
with utmost seriousness.

The SSG described the workshop as a rare opportunity for them to
acquire new skills, expand the participants knowledge base and refine
their teaching techniques and methodology for hard-work and
productivity.

She stressed further that the gathering was also an opportunity for
the trainees to exchange ideas, collaborate with fellow educators and
learn from seasoned experts in the field.

The facilitators present have a wealth of experience in the education
sector and they are eager to share their knowledge with them, she
posited.

She however stressed that the knowledge and skills acquire during the
three days workshop would not only benefit them but also positively
impact the lives of countless young Ekiti indigence and Nigeria
learners in the years to come.

” I encouraged you to embark on the enriching journey to approach each
season with an open mind, eager to absorb new knowledge,explore
innovative approaches to education and embrace every challenge as an
opportunity for growth and transformation,for it is through continuous
leaning and improvement that we can make a lasting impact on the lives
of our students”, she stated.

In the same vein,the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education,
Professor Femi Akinwumi, in his welcome address described the
induction training of teachers as an integral part of the general
education system in Nigeria as they influence the growth and
development of a nation.

The SUBEB Chairman also said that the training of the newly recruited
teachers was apt considering their different background and freshness
in the system hence, the need to guide them against ignorance that can
make them run foul of some laid down procedures in the service as well
as to give them smooth entry into the teaching service at the basic
level of education.

Ekiti Govt Drums Support for Schools Sports Development

Ekiti State governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has promised the support of
his administration to providing a conducive environment for sports to
thrive in the basic education sector in the state.

Governor Oyebanji gave the pledge in Ado Ekiti during the finals of
this Year’s Basic Education Sports Competitions in Nigeria (BESS)
organized by the State Universal Basic Education Board ( SUBEB ) in
collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission ( UBEC )
at the State capital, Ado Ekiti.

The Governor who was represented by the SUBEB Chairman, Prof. Femi
Akinwumi urged participants to avail themselves of the opportunity
provided by the competition for the promotion of their mental and
physical health as well as for the marketing of their God given
talents to the world.

He called for more support from various stakeholders towards
development of schools sports, urging the participants to maintain
healthy competition among themselves as a combination of sports with
academic studies helps promote a better future and spirit of global
competitiveness among the pupils .

Oyebanji reiterated the resolve of the state government in conjunction
with UBEC to provide sports equipment for public primary schools
across the state to facilitate sports development and discovery of
budding talents among the pupils.

He commended the organizers of the program for creating such a
platform to identify the sporting potentials among the pupils with the
aim of nurturing them to stardom.

Earlier ,the Special Adviser on Education, Science and Technology, Dr
(Mrs.) Kofoworola Aderiye, who was represented by the Executive
Secretary of the state Scholarship Board, Mrs. Bosede Jegede stressed
the importance of the program to include discovery of talents and
promotion of unity among the pupils and teachers of basic education.

Dr. Aderiye advised participants to maintain the spirit of
sportsmanship, urging the winners to be magnanimous in victory and the
losers not to be discouraged in defeat.

In his welcome address, the SUBEB Chairman, Prof. Femi Akinwumi
represented by the Board Permanent Secretary, Mr. Dayo Ajobiewe
described the uniqueness of the competition to raising the standard of
sports, particularly among the youngsters.

Stressing the importance of sports to the overall development of basic
education, Prof. Akinwumi urged the winning athletes and teams who
would represent the state in the forthcoming Zonal and National Finals
of the BESS Competition to build on the outstanding reputation of the
state in athletics and football.

He stressed that the state was proud to have produced the likes of
Olusoji Fasuba and Late Oluyemi Kayode but it is pertinent to produce
new talents and future legends.

Akinwumi said it was in recognition of the outstanding performance of
the Late Barcelona
92 Olympics Silver medalist that the State Government renamed the
venue of the competitions after the late Oluyemi Kayode who was
discovered through schools sports program.

He also appealed to stakeholders to support the schools sports program
by providing the enabling environment for it to thrive.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and
Technology, Mrs. Olufolakemi Olomojobi in a goodwill message also
commended the resilience of the participants and promised the support
of the ministry towards promoting sporting activities among schools in
the state

The event featured athletics and football competitions and the
high-point was the finals of the football competition in which Moba
local government education area team defeated Ekiti South- West local
government area education team by 2-0 while the Ado Ekiti local
government team also won 2-0 against Ilejemeje local government in the
3rd place match

Trophies, medals and prizes were presented to winners and runners up
at the end of the competitions.