Oni’s 70th Birthday Lecture: Okebukola Advocates New Measures In Tackling Educational Challenges In Nigeria 

… As Olujimi, Tae Lawal, Anisulowo, Ayorinde, Others Grace Occasion 

… Describes Oni As A Man Of Integrity 

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By Philip Tayo 

A renowned Educationist in Nigeria’s Educational Sector, Professor Peter Okebukola and the former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, has advocated new measures needed to tackle the educational challenges confronting the Country. 

Okebukola who unveiled the new strategies on Wednesday at the AB Foundation Civic Centre in Adebayo, Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital while delivering the 70th Birthday Lecture of the former Governor of Ekiti State, Engineer Segun Adebayo Oni titled: “Navigating Nigeria’s Education Landscape: Can The Dry Bones Rise Again?”, identified five pivotal points needed to be embraced to include assess to education, gender, quality, environment and equity. 

He expressed his deep concerns for the falling quality of the Country’s educational system even though he held the view that the standard of education is not falling, but rising, thereby calling on stakeholders at every level to rise up, ensuring that the falling education is redeemed. He also called for the adoption of the former Governor Segun Oni educational policies which focuses on infrastructural development. 

He commended the tremendous potentials of an average Nigerian Student who are willed to unravel the uniqueness in them if a good learning environment is provided for them to learn. 

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Reacting to the recent development, where the Honourable Minister of Education in the Country, introduce new policy which pegged the age for students who can be admitted into higher Institutions to 18 years old, Professor Okebukola hailed the Minister’s decision, justifying the practice of a 6-3-3-4 educational system in the Country.

However, Okebukola kicked against the approach, saying, if there is need for the Federal Government to restrict the age limit for students who can be admitted into higher Institutions or sit for the UTME, that it must be done in a proper way. 

He berated the Minister’s action for not properly educating the general public on the new policy before officially announcing it. 

He however advised the need for a public hearing to be put in place by the National Assembly to enable the Country’s educational stakeholders make their own input on the new Federal Government’s policy. 

Adding, the renowned Professor also emphasized the need for the Federal government to create more awareness on the new policy so that Nigerians can be aware. 

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Describing the birthday celebrant, Okebukola hailed the former Governor for maintaining a high standard of ethics and transparency in relating with his peers and associates. 

In an interview with the former Senator representing the Ekiti South Senatorial District at the Red Chamber of the National in Abuja, Senator Biodun Olujimi described the former Governor Segun Oni as someone who is very humble and willing to work, most especially, transforming the State to the dreams of everybody. 

Olujimi revealed that the former Governor Segun Oni has never been invited by the EFCC or ICPC because of corruption. “I respect him so much because he has never been found to be corrupt since he left office years ago. He is leader with good character”, she submitted. 

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On the part of the former Governor Segun Oni’s Deputy, Alhaji Dr Sikiru Taye Lawal, who also graced the 70th birthday public lecture, says his former boss is a man of integrity and a man Nigeria should seek after. 

The former Deputy Governor also hailed the former Governor Segun Oni for initiating several projects like the Ado /Ifaki road project who administrations after him have refused to complete in the State till date. 

In his own words, Honourable Yomi Ayorinde, a current member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Ido Osun Constituency 2 and the former Chairman for Ido Osi LGA during the administration of former Governor Segun Oni, described Segun Oni as a man of honour and integrity. 

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Recalling when he served under him as the Chairman of ALGON in Ekiti State, Honourable Ayorinde also described him as an apostle of grassroot development, hailing him for allowing the local governments to function freely under him, by getting there allocations without any deductions, initiate projects and award contracts without interference, thereby ensuring uniformed developments of the State. 

Also, while speaking with Chief Dipo Anisulowo, a former Chief of Staff during the administration of former Governor Ayo Fayose, joined his voice to described him as a man of integrity, who is not so rich like the others who had governed the State. 

The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Oye Ekiti, Professor Sunday Abayomi Fashina, speaking with pressmen at the 70th birthday lecture, hailed the former Governor Segun Oni for being a leader that has not been corrupt. “We have never seen anybody saying EFCC or ICPC called him for anything out of all the leaders. He is a leader with worthy character and an indefatigable man. On any day, I will continue to respect him and follow him. I am not a politician but a technocrat and a scholar. He is a non corrupt Nigerian who stand the test of time. And off course, if he given the opportunity, I would have suggested that somebody like him should still lead this Country”, he ended. 

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