OSCOED Graduation: Oyetola Reiterates Commitment To Transforming Education – Offers Best Graduating Student Automatic Employment
Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
The Governor of the State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Friday reiterated the administration’s commitment to transforming the education sector and putting it on a sure footing.
He said the administration was determined to leaving no stone unturned in its drive to provide the necessary support to raise the bar of education to meet its status as the bedrock of socio-economic development.
Oyetola maintained that the recent educational reforms which are products of the yearnings of the people in the State, are aimed at conforming the sector to global best practices for optimum results.
He said the N11billion earmarked for education sector in the proposed 2021 Budget was a justification of the government’s commitment to a sector that is central to the growth of other sectors.
This is even as the Governor announced the automatic employment for the overall best graduating student of the State College of Education, OSCOED, Ilesa, Miss Agboola Lateefat Oluwakemi.
Governor Oyetola stated these at the 42nd Founder’s Day and the 27th Convocation Ceremony of the Institution, held at the College’s premises, Ilesa, Osun.
Addressing the participants, Oyetola who is the Visitor to the Institution, disclosed that the allocation of substantial funds to education was a giant leap toward ultimately meeting UNESCO’s 26 per cent budget allocation to education, thus complementing the government’s relentless commitment to uplifting the education sector and stimulating a vibrant knowledge economy for the State.
“Education, as we all know, occupies an important place on the priority list of our Administration. We are therefore committed to leaving no stone unturned in our drive to transform the sector and put it on a sure footing.
“The recent educational reforms in the State, which are products of the yearnings of the people are examples of the length we are ready to go together to conform our education to best practices for optimum results.
“The 18 per cent allocation to education in the proposed Budget for Year 2021 which translates to almost N11 billion is also an indication of our heart to a sector that is central to the growth of other sectors.
“This allocation is a giant leap to meeting the UNESCO 26 per cent budhet proposal. This again signals our relentless commitment to uplifting our education sector and stimulating a vibrant knowledge economy for our State. We shall always strive to do more”, he added.
Governor Oyetola also restated the adminstration’s resolve to continue to invest massively in upgrading the infrastructure and other learning facilities, as well as assist in staff development to enable them to keep pace with the required global standard in the education sector.
He commended the institution for maintaining moral and ethical standards since its establishment. He noted that his administration was determined to ensure that the State’s tertiary institutions become benchmarks in Nigeria, ranking comparatively with global institutions and producing competent leaders of tomorrow.
He congratulated the graduands for working hard to earn the Nigeria Certificate in Education in various disciplines, saying the new feats marked the fulfilment of their academic objectives for self-development and contributions to national development.
The Governor urged the graduands not to be complacent and content with the present achievement but rather, to be ready to set new targets and create new benchmarks to attain more horizons in life.
The Visitor also admonished the graduands on giving back to the college.
He said, “Dear graduands, as you graduate today, you increase the strength and fortune of this College, your alma mater, by a good measure. This College is your home. You hold its membership forever. I therefore advise you to own your College and contribute your quota towards its development at all times.”
In his remarks, the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi applauded the management and staff of the institution for being committed to moral and ethical standards of education.
Fayemi disclosed his personal readiness to support the overall best graduating student to accomplish her future academic endeavours.
In his welcome address, the Provost of the College, Prof. Labayo Kolawole Kazeem commended the administration of Governor Oyetola for the approval of additional staff to complement the efforts of the institution to meet its mandate of providing quality and qualitative education.
He also lauded the State government for providing an enabling environment for the institution to run a hitch-free academic process.
Prof. Kazeem who disclosed that the institution had churned out over 42,000 graduates since its establishment, said the College had fulfilled its mandate to rejuvenate education as reflected in the quality of teachers it had produced who are contributing significantly to the national socioeconomic growth and development.
The occasion was attended by the wife of the Osun Governor, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola, and her Ekiti State counterpart, Mrs. Erelu Bisi Fayemi, who was conferred with Distinguished Honourary Fellowship of the College.
Other awardees include Member, House of Representatives representing Ijesa-South Federal Constituency, Hon. Babatunde Ayeni; a renowned cleric, Bishop Mike Bamidele; Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi and Apostle Emmanuel Aderemi Awode.
Others in attendance included the Osun Deputy Governor, Benedict Alabi; Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Charles ‘Diji Akinola; Head of Service, Dr. Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade; members of the State Executive Council.
