By Yemi Olajutemu
Ado Ekiti
The Ekiti State Government says it will continue to create enabling environment and engendering memoranda of understanding between the government and relevant stakeholders in the education sector in order to achieve the revamping of the lost glory.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony of the Principal’s office renovated by the Annunciation Secondary Old boys Association ASOBA for their alma mata in Ikere Ekiti, the Chairman of the State Teaching Service Commission, (TESCOM) Hon. Babatunde Abegunde explained that the Fayemi-led administration had made huge investment on the education sector. He noted that the effort to revitalize education in the state requires a collaborative effort from individuals, organizations, Alumni Associations and even corporate organizations through their social responsibility.
Hon. Abegunde who was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the Commission, Mrs Omowumi Adewumi lamented that despite the free and compulsory education in the State, many parents could still not provide basic writing materials and uniforms for their wards, hence the reason the government is making giant efforts at poverty reduction in the state which she explained was having a spill over effect on other sectors.
The TESCOM boss lauded the efforts of the 1990 set of the Annunciation School Old Boys’ Association (ASOBA) for executing several projects in the School while charging other Old Boys to embrace the “Adopt a Student policy” an initiative aimed at sponsoring children whose parents are unable to provide basic education needs..
He added that education in some schools recently taken over by the missionaries may become unaffordable for the brilliant students with poor backgrounds hence the need for the Alumni Associations to assist in bringing the dreams of such students to reality.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr Bimpe Aderiye, represented by Mr Mike, the Director, Planning and Research in the Ministry called on private and corporate organizations and individuals to support the Knowledge Economy agenda of the government to validate Ekiti as fountain of knowledge it is known for.
Earlier, the Project Coordinator of the ASOBA 1990, Dr Olukayode Ibijola said that the set decided to embark on the project in order to ensure a conducive working environment for the principal from whom much is expected as the head of the school management. The new principal’s office has modern equipment including Air Conditioner among others with over Two Million Naira estimated cost.
The National President of the Association, Mr Tayo Fakehinde aleo represented by his Vice, Mr Samson Orogun commended the 1990 set for contributing to the development of the school.
He listed the ongoing renovation of the School chapel, provision of toilets in the hostels and the school compound and the renovation of the school kitchen as some of the projects which the Old Boys Association had carried out.
In his response, the acting Principal who is also an Old Boy, Mr Taiwo Adedara thanked the 1990 set for the gesture and called on others not to abandon the school that made them.