The Special Adviser to Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Tertiary Institutions, Dr Mayowa Azeez has assured Ekiti state Students in tertiary institutions across the country that state Government is working assidiuosly towards ensuring that there is no further delay in the payment of Bursary and scholarship.
Dr Azeez who spoke with newsmen in his office in Ado Ekiti, said that payment plans for the students are already in pipeline and effort at the implementation is nearing completion
According to him, the governor had at different fora reiterated his commitment towards touching the lives of every member of r sectors and demography in the state, noting that the current political era projects the principle of an ideal democracy where dividends will accrue to all.
“Being a promise keeper, Mr Governor is a listening Governor and I can assure students that their welfares meant so much to this government. We always concerned and we prioritize the need and interest of the youths
empowerment programmes takes the front role in Mr Oyebanji’s list of priorities, and this time it is going to be a life changing empowerment for our student population.
“If you have listened to Mr governor very well, you will know that one of the paramount things he has in his heart for the people of Ekiti is to change the narratives that though, we are educated, but often, a larger percentage of the population still live in abject poverty. and this, we are ready to change.
We want to rejig our education system towards self reliance even before graduation and we are carefully strategizing so that we capture many of them.
All of these things boils down to building a good live and living standards for our people.
If you look at the programmes of the Government, you will see that most of them are tailored towards the betterment of the students and youths”. He said.
The Associate professor of Industrial chemistry at the EKiti State University remarked that he had started making moves towards having a robust discussion with meeting with the leadership of various students’ bodies including the Federation of EKiti State E students Union, FESSU, the National Association of Nigerian Students NANS JCC Ekiti Axis and the headship of various institutions in the state in order to fashion out ways to reaching a common ground on issues pertaining to their interests and uplifting the educational standards of tertiary institutions in the state.
Speaking on the planned protest by the Federated Ekiti State’s Student Unions to press home their demands on payment of bursary and other scholarship benefits, Dr. Azeez expressed governor Oyebanji’s readiness to listen to other demands of the students urging them to guide against hooliganism and every other disruptive activities.
He explained that the Governor has absolute respect for human rights and will do everything in his capacity to give them the best.
“Mr governor prefers constructive actions, He had already talked about the issue of bursary during the recently concluded retreat for the newly appointees in the state and the release of bursary for students is already in the pipeline.
It is not the matter of empty promises, within the shortest possible time, I am sure that will be concluded. In fact, about one hundred and eighty seven Ekiti state students studying law have been given financial assistance already”. He submitted.
The Special Adviser to the governor pointed out that the government placed a high premium on security of lives and property as well as building the development blocks to achieving human capital development through quality education.
Dr Azeez promised the students that he was ready to work with them, serve their interest and ensure that they succeed in their various academic pursuits by ensuring that there is not disruption of acadamic calendar.
He called on them to always be law abiding and eschew activities that could negatively affect their future saying that the government is investing hugely and ready to invest more in their present to build a better future for them all.
By Yemi Olajutemu
Ado Ekiti