Gateway State Takes The Lead In Education Others Follows - Hon. Soyombo
The Special Adviser to the Ogun State Government on Education, Dr. (Mrs) Ronke Soyombo, has revealed the various efforts made by the current administration in the state towards ensuring that the public education system is improved upon.
Responding to questions from newsmen in her Oke-Mosan office in Abeokuta, the SA stated that in the educational sector among all the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT, Ogun State leads while others follow. Excerpts:
Q: Do you think the current administration in the state has actually made a lot of impact as regards improved education in the State?
A: Thank you very much. We must applaud the administration of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in the last six years because he has been able to prove to the world that with a clear vision, the education sector of any state or country can move forward. You will see that there is a technological development in the education sector of the state because you can sit conveniently in your homes and access the result of any pupil in any public school. Also, every student has identification numbers. I could remember that during COVID, efforts were made to ensure that pupils have access to education through technology.Among all the states of the country, we were the first to introduce T.V, Facebook, Youtube and radio learning programmes so that we will continue to maintain the tempo. In a bid to ensure that pupils in public schools in the state do not lack behind, the governor employed additional one thousand teachers and this will further equip public schools to have access to the required manpower they deserve.
The Governor also took a step further by providing a conductive learning environment for pupils in public schools by renovating existing structures and building new ones and this is a standard his successor in office can continue to sustain. He was able to bring in experts into the educational system of the state, the Honorable Commissioner of Education is the former V.C of Tai Solarin University of Education and he has done tremendously well in education, what I do is to complement his efforts as the Special Adviser on Education. I observed some loopholes in the educational system of the state and the Governor gave approval for the retraining of teachers in all the four divisions of the state, which centred on student-centred teaching and learning in the 21st Century. On this note, I will like to say that Governor Abiodun has done extremely well in the area of education and the sky is the limit.
Q: What are the efforts put in place to ensure that the children of the less privileged have access to education?
A: There was a time the current administration in the state gave helping hands to indigent students in the state with a cash support of N 50,000 and that actually helped a lot of students in no small way. Annual scholarship awards is another programme designed by the state to encourage students in tertiary institution. Also, during the various convocation ceremonies of tertiary institutions in the state, the governor gave his support to students and that has really helped them to tow the line of hardwork.
Q: The Federal Government has taken over the state-owned Tai Solarin University of Education in Ijagun, does the state intend to establish another institution?
A: Not to the best of my knowledge and don't forget that Ogun State has the highest number of tertiary institutions in the country and there is the need for us to upscale this institutions to meet up with world class standard.
Establishing a new university of education may be in the pipeline but not to the best of my knowledge and I am not in the best position to talk about that.
Q: Talking as a mother, what are your words of encouragement to Nigeria youths, most importantly at this time when yahoo plus has taken the centre stage?
A: My words of encouragement to the Nigerian youth is that they should remain focused and not get distracted. As a government, we are doing our best to ensure that our leaders of tomorrow tow the line of greatness and this is why the State Government rehabilitated the eight technical colleges in the state. It is very sad to note that in Remo Federal Constituency,there is an association called the Association of Yahoo Mothers, it is very disgraceful that our society has grown to this disgusting stage. To further strengthen the youths, we established ICT centers to train and retrain youth. We also have vocational training centers and we will continue to encourage the youth that they should be good ambassadors of their fatherland, explore all business opportunities to their advantage and leverage on available opportunities to develop their God-given talent.We need to look at the role models of our children and ensure that they have good role models, admonishing them that yahoo does not last because it is a temporary wealth that easily cutsa person's life short.In the Yewa division of the state, pupils prefer to smuggle rice rather than going to school and we have looked into ways by which we could turn this challenge into an opportunity.As a government, we will continue to partner with multinational organisations among other critical stakeholders to reshape the focus of our youth towardsthe productive sector.
Q: Information gathered from impeccable sources revealed that you are one of the aspirants for the Remo Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, how true is this information?
A: I will like to be quiet on that. I was appointed by Prince Dapo Abiodun and I was not told to contest for a seat in the Green Chambers and I am very loyal to my principal. When my principal talks, I will follow orders. God will continue to lead us.
Q: Governor Abiodun is celebrating his sixth anniversary in office, what is your message to him?
A: He has done extremely well as the Governor of the state, he is a great leader, very focused and he has achieved a lot in the time he has spent in office. He has made Ogun State renowned internationally and he has opened up the state for a greater journey which everybody should embrace. He is doing well and will continue to do well.
