Category: Education

There have been mixed reactions trailing the ‘Step Aside’ order made by Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde as contained in a release dated 16th April, 2021 which directed the embattled Vice-Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Professor Olufisayo Ologunde, to vacate office with immediate effect.

Speaking on behalf of the state government, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye made this disclosure to journalists on Monday in his office, stating that the letter only directed the former VC to step aside but not sacked.

Olaleye, explained that the purpose for not disclosing government’s reasons for the ‘Step Aside’ directive in the press release was deliberate, adding that the embattled Vice-Chancellor has all the detailed reasons of the government in the letter addressed to him.

The Commissioner for Education who refused to disclose or give a hint on government’s reasons for the directive, explained that the Governor Makinde’s decision was not a vendetta as being speculated in some quarters, insisting that the embattled VC has not been sacked but only directed to step aside.

He noted that the institution’s Governing Council will carry out investigations into the allegations levelled against the embattled VC as contained in the letter addressed to him, adding that necessary actions shall follow in line with provisions of the establishment laws of the institution.

“The Governor only directed the embattled VC to step aside, he was not sacked, our reason for not disclosing details of the allegations in our press release was delibrate.

“We can not say because the Governing Council is yet to resume then we will look the other way and allow the institution suffer, that was why he was directed to step aside pending investigations into allegations levelled against him, and in due time the Governing Council will act based on revelations from their investigations.

“We are not unmindful of the establishment laws of the institution and we have not acted outside of our powers as government, so it is not a vendetta against the former VC,” Olaleye said.

In his reaction, the embattled VC, Professor Ologunde, directed journalists who contacted him for comments to the institution’s Public Relation Officer (PRO) but admitted that he has accepted the Governor’s decision in good faith.

ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that the CBT results of the recently concluded test for the intending education officers in Oyo State have been released.

The results were released today by the Oyo State Civil Service Commission for candidates who applied for the post of Education Officer (11) in the State.

Applicants who sat for the examination are to visit the Oyo State Government Portal jobportal, oyostate.gov.ng for their results.

The Chairman, Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Aderibigbe Kamoru Abiodun stated this on Monday, while giving updates on the recently conducted exercise, held between Tuesday 6th to 8th April 2021 at Chief Bayo Akande Hall, University of Ibadan, Ajibode, Ibadan.

Earlier in July, 2020, the Commission had placed an advertorial through the CSC Portal, asking applicants to download CBT access form that would allow them participate in the text.

According to Alhaji Aderibigbe, over fourteen thousand applications were received and the applicants included holders of Higher National Deploma (HND), National Certificate in Education (NCE) , and those with Single Honours from universities and educational-biased disciplines.

According to the Chairman, Three thousand, two hundred and fifty-one candidates were shortlisted through the Management Information Center (MIC) portal.

Osun State Government on Wednesday suspended three public school principals for allowing a pro-Oodua nation group to address their students.

The government also dissociated itself from the group preaching disunity and secession to students in some schools in the state.

It was revealed that some people had early in the week visited the three secondary schools in Iresi, a town in the Boluwaduro Local Government Area of the state to addressed their students.

It was gathered that the group told the students that they should reject Nigeria and demanded Oodua nation.

But the government in a statement by the Commissioner for Education, Mr Folorunsho Bamisayemi, said the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola was not aware and never gave consent to the group to speak with public school students.

The statement reads in part, “Nigeria is one entity and will continue to remain so. The State Government of Osun never gave consent to any group to speak with students of public schools on a matter we know can cause disunity and chaos in the country.”

Also reacting, the Special Adviser to Governor Oyetola on Education, Mr Jamiu Olawumi,  said it was unfortunate that some unscrupulous elements were going about polluting the minds of  young children because they knew that they were still naive.

The Federal Government has constituted a new governing council for the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.

The five-man council which is expected to be inaugurated on Monday, April 19, 2021 is led by Chief Osita Oscar Udoji while others are Captain Bala Jubrin, Eugene Odo, Dr Lateef Babata and Alhaji Saidu Bako.

The vice-chancellor of the institution, Professor Eyitayo Ogunbodede made this known a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr Abiodun

He, however, commended members of the Immediate past Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, for their valuable contributions and selflessness to the overall development of the 60 years old institution.

The vice-chancellor affirmed that the Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi-led council was not only proactive in its approach to issues but it also tremendously helped the university to maintain a healthy relationship with all the unions on campus, thereby making the environment very conducive for learning and research. 

The council members, who completed their tenure on January 17, 2021, were commended for creating a level playing ground for all the applicants for the position of vice-chancellor of the university, and for also maintaining superlative neutrality throughout the exercise that produced the current administration. 

It should be recalled that on the 27th of March, 2021, Dele Bajaj Foundation conducted scholarship examination for students who would be sitting for 2021 Jamb in Ibarapa North and Central local government areas where students were promised UTME scholarship forms if they meet the requirements set aside by the foundation.

The foundation does as promised, Yesterday, 13th of April, 2021 when 50 students who scored the pass mark and above were all given free UTME forms. The foundation does not stop at this, it does so good to help the students with free jamb registration as well.

While speaking at the free registration exercise which takes place at Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology Igboora, Mr Oke Wasiu Ayinde who happens to be the coordinator of the foundation’s activities, says’ Our principal, Dele Bajaj is living an exemplary life, one worthy of emulation. He is a man of his words and will always do whatever he says he’d do. This that we’re doing today would not stop here, we would monitor the progress of all our students and we would provide support for them occasionally tó ensure free academic sorjorn for them all.

He adds that the Foundation is committed to any movement that will uplift the education standard in Ibarapa Land.

Students who benefitted from this exercise appreciates Dele Bajaj Foundation immensely for the privilege given to them to be among the beneficiaries of the free UTME Scholarship. Among the beneficiaries are students From Igboora High school, Ayete Grammar School, among others. We also have those who are leavers of secondary school as well.

One of the students, Kola Simisola, from Igboora High school, says in her appreciation message, ‘I appreciate this kindheart of This foundation, we know how passionate they are about our growth and we appreciate that. May God replenish their pockets and answer their prayers as well. I am so happy to be among the beneficiaries of this UTME Scholarship.

One of the Fathers of the Beneficiaries Mr Taiwo From Igangan who follows his Daughter to do the Registration Center Says I’m Glad for this Good Gesture for the founder of this foundation, Ibarapa is blessed but Opportunities are not there for our people, if program like this has been in existence with Good passion in Ibarapa, most people would has been in Good position by now. Mr Taiwo Appreciates the founder for putting Politics aside while selecting those Beneficiaries and in all his activities, he prays that God will protect and enrich the Founder to do more developmental Projects in Ibarapa Axis

While appreciating the founder of the foundation as well , students charged the principal not to stop this academic support he’s given out to them. They also charged him to help those who are in higher institutions of learning as well.

The registration exercise ends with vote of thanks from Mr Bamidele Olohunwa, the Founder Of DBF Through phone Conversation who appreciates the students for coming out to take the little offer the foundation offers Them. He charges the students to be a good ambassador of their parents and Ibarapa land wherever they find themselves. He also appreciates the members of the foundation for their commitment and steadfastness so far.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun has described his Borno counterpart, Prof. Babagana Zulum, as a man of strong character and conviction who is determined to carry on despite the daunting security challenges in his area.

Osun Governor said but for his strong character and conviction, the enormous security challenges in the State were enough for anyone to run away.

Oyetola spoke in Ibadan on Saturday at the 2021 Luncheon & Awards ceremony of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, where Zulum was honoured by the association as both Most Distinguished Alumnus and the Alumus of the Year.

“From the documentary we just watched, I can see that the governor in less than two years has done tremendously well. And like we all know, the reward for hard work is more work. I believe this award will spur him to do more great things for the people of Borno. I congratulate you for these honours. You truly deserve them” Oyetola said.

Zulum on his part, thanked the Alumni Association for the award, saying the honour would encourage him to improve on the tempo of service delivery in the State.

On his part, the Chairman of the occasion and former Health minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole, commended Zulum for carrying on from where his predecessor, Senator Kashim Shettima, left off.

He commended Shettima for discovering Zulum, just as he described Oyetola as a magician, saying most times he wonders how the Governor manages to pay salaries and still carry on with infrastructure development across all sectors of the economy in the State.

Prof. Adewole said that with persons like Zulum and Oyetola as Governor of their respective States, there is hope for Nigeria.

The West African Examinations Council, Nigeria, says the 2021 West African Senior School Certificate Examination will commence in August and not May.

WAEC also debunked reports by some news platforms that it postponed the examination.

In a statement on Friday, Acting Head, Public Affairs, WAEC, Nigeria, Demianus Ojijeogu, said WAEC Nigeria Head, Patrick Areghan, was quoted out of context at a briefing on Tuesday when he announced the release of results of WASSCE for private candidates.

According to Ojijeogu, Areghan said the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic has distorted the academic calendars of schools, hence, it will be impossible for candidates to sit for the examination in May because most of the schools are still in their first term.

The statement was titled, ‘Conduct Of WASSCE For School Candidates, 2021 In Nigeria’.

The statement said Areghan had at the Tuesday briefing said, “Let me also use this opportunity to dispel rumours being peddled about by some people regarding the conduct of WASSCE for School Candidates, 2021. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still very much felt in the education sector.

“The academic calendar has been distorted. It will, therefore, not be possible to have the examination in May/June this year. A convenient International Timetable for the conduct of the examination will soon be released.”

The statement added, “The arrangement is in line with the current academic calendar and was done in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.

“Consequently, the Council wishes to inform schools, candidates and the general public that the examination will hold from August 16, 2021 to September 30, 2021. The International timetable for the conduct of the examination will be released in due course.”