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The Chairman of Oyo State Education Trust Fund (OYOETF), Mrs Onikepo Akande has called on Oyo State indigenes and Nigerians in general to support the Fund.
Mrs Akande made this call while speaking at the flag off ceremony of the distribution of customised exercise books to students of public secondary school in the State on Thursday, January 24, 2019.
The event was held at the OYOETF office complex, Ibadan.
The Chairman appreciated those who have supported the course in the past and also called for others to support OYO ETF.
She said: “I want to use this opportunity to call on well meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of OYOETF in order to reposition education in the state.
“Government is doing it’s best but it is important for us to coperate with the government to nurture the kind of education we want our children to get.
“There are some people who heard about it and sent money to the board, even those that are not from the state.
“No amount is too small. One thousand, 10,000, will go a long way to make a difference. In the words of John F. Kennedy but adapted for this purpose, ‘Ask not what your state can do for you ,ask what you can do for your state'”
She also appreciated the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for his belief in OYOETF.
She also noted that the impact of ETF is really felt with the distribution of the customised exercise books and that it will lessen financial burden on parents.
Speaking further, the Chairman said ” The children are the future and if we deserve good future there is no amount too much to achieve the beautiful future. This is just the beginning of more things that schools at all level will enjoy as much funds are realise by Oyo ETF.”
In his own speech, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Mr Moses Alake Adeyemo said that the distribution of the exercise book will reduce the financial burden on parents and also put smiles on the faces of students.
In his words: “Apart from putting smiles on the faces of students, it will help to assist the parents in reducing the cost of educating their children at least, to some extent.”
He however regretted that stakeholders who are meant to support the government in educating the students have withdrawn.
He said: “It is however very sad that stakeholders that should normally be responsible in joining hands with government to educate the child are withdrawing and now passing the bulk of educating the child only on government whereas the parents, teachers, society, corporate organisation, community and the students themselves have vital roles to play if the best must be achieved.”
He advised the students, managment staff and the the teachers of Oyo State to play their various roles in taking education in Oyo to an enviable height.
He admonished the teachers “to be responsible to the students that are passing through your tutulage and must be exemplary at all times.”
Also present at the event are: Executive Secretary of OYO ETF, Mrs Yetunde Fatoki; Chairman of the State Universal Primary Education Board (SUBEB), Aderonke Makanjuola; the Permanent Secretary Zone 2 TESCOM, Alhaji Musibau Olaojo; the Permanent Secretary School Administration Zone 1 TESCOM, Dr Mrs D.A Olaitan; Special Assitant on Education; Mr A.A Adekola; Permanent Secretary of Education, Mrs Ronke Fatoki.
Others are: Oyo State Chairman of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary School, Pastor Olajide Alayande; Principal Technical College, Ayanyemi Kayode; State Liberian, Mrs Adebola Akinlolu; Executive Secretary Oyo State Security Trust Fund, Olufemi Oyedipe. Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agency, Zonal Inspectors, Principals, Teachers, stakeholders in education and 21 public schools in the state.
The law that established the Education Trust Fund was initiated by the Oyo State House of Assembly and assented by Governor Abiola Ajimoni in June 30, 2016. The board of trustees was inaguarated in July, 2017.