The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has commissioned a block of 20 classrooms at the Baptist Secondary School, Oyo, to commemorate his first 100 days in office.
This was as the Governor stated that his administration would remain committed to ensuring quality and free basic education for all and sundry in the state.
Governor Makinde, according to a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, stated these on Thursday, while commissioning the Model School at Oyo.
The Governor said: “I want to assure you that our government will continue to influence and implement good policies that will bring total transformation to the state.
“With the support of all, we shall record unprecedented achievements and thus leaving our footprints in the sand of time.”
Governor Makinde stated that his administration will not relent in terms of embarking on projects that will provide conducive environment for students in the state and enable them to explore both the natural and social environments.
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“It is worthy to mention that the present administration is not oblivious of the fact that childhood is filled with natural wonders and curiosity and that learning environment must reflect a classroom and outdoor space that inspire a sense of wanting to investigate and explore.
“This was part of what necessitated the need to embark on a project like this, which will enable our children to explore both their natural and social environments.”
Governor Makinde called for stakeholder engagement and partnership in developing education infrastructure in the state, urging stakeholders to support government in its bid to develop infrastructure in the public schools and eradicate illiteracy in the state.
“We are appealing to all good-spirited and well-meaning Nigerians to partner with the government of the state in eradicating illiteracy and most especially in the area of infrastructural development in public schools.
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“It is very important to reiterate the fact that the major responsibility of the government is to ensure that quality and free basic education is provided for school-age children, as they are the leaders of tomorrow.
“It is also pertinent to remind everyone that an idle hand is a devil’s workshop, which implies that if these children’s welfare is not considered, they may eventually turn out to become threats to the peace and security of our society.”
Earlier, the chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran, commended the Governor for resuscitating the ailing standard of education in the state by cancelling the N3,000 fees by the students.
Adeniran said: “Without exaggeration, the present government is more committed to the education of her citizenry as governor has committed minimum of 10 per cent of the state budget to education. This action is in tandem with the view of the great sage, Nelson Mandela who posits that education is the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the world.
“Permit me to seize this opportunity to check this gathering that business of education is business of all. All of us have a duty to perform in ensuring that all our children of school age are in school for development of our state and country at large.”
The SUBEB chairman charged the school community, pupils, teachers, school-based management committee and school’s governing board on the use and maintenance of the building and infrastructural facilities in the school.
He appreciated the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for providing the matching grants to Oyo State.