Why old students should support the government’s educational efforts – Makinde

By Adeleye Kunle

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, declared on Saturday that Old Students Associations must support the government’s efforts to raise educational standards by giving back to their alma maters.

In a statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, the governor stated that the education sector should not be left solely in the hands of the government, adding that by providing support and assistance to their former schools, standards would be raised.

Makinde made the call while speaking at the commissioning/handing over ceremony of the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Hall, which was built by the 1968/1972 set of Loyola College Old Boys Association, and stated that if a proposal for the return of the schools to its original owners is received, his administration would be willing to consider it.

As part of the activities commemorating Loyola College’s 50th anniversary, the Old Boys Association remodeled the frontal fence.

The governor went on to say that his willingness to discuss the proof of consent, which could see the school returned to its original owners or the Old Students Association, was motivated by the need to ensure the school’s continuous development.

He insisted that his administration was built on four pillars, one of which he identified as education.

The governor praised the school’s 1968/1972 Set for the construction of the Hall and remoldelling of the frontal fence, saying that such a gesture would help the state’s educational sector develop.

“It is a great honor for me to host my two other brothers (Governors Rotimi Akeredolu and Kayode Fayemi) here, and when we say Oyo State is a Pacesetter State, now you understand what we mean,” he said. Three of Nigeria’s 36 governors have their roots and were shaped in Oyo State.”

“So let me thank the 1968-1972 set for this edifice,” the governor added.

“By the way, education is one of Oyo State’s four major pillars, and I know that the government alone cannot provide everything that we require, so every time we see people, associations, and philanthropists who can support the government, I am always grateful.” So, on behalf of the government and people of Oyo State, we’d like to thank the Loyola College Old Boys Association today. 68-72 set.

“I’m also using this to invite others to come and give back.” We have students here, and they, too, are looking forward to a day like this, when they can return and give back to their school, and they can only do that if we provide an enabling environment for them to succeed, which is exactly what this set has done.

“So, I’m using you as a point of contact for other Old Students Associations to come and give back, and the government will be grateful.”

“Well, I mentioned that Loyola College seems to appear at every turning point. Loyola has also shown up now that I am running for a second term. I had no idea I’d be ambushed when I arrived for this event, but when Professor Femi Ogunbiyi spoke, he said, “Governor, please “e da a pada. (Could you please return the school?)

“I arrived with the Honorable Commissioner for Education and the Chairman of TESCOM.” We began a proof of consent process with Government College Ibadan to see how the process would work and to test the waters. This is because, while you are requesting that the government return the school to its original owners, some other interests are arguing that we should not return the school to its original owners because the Oyo State government has invested in it.

“However, what we’ve done at Government College has shown us that there is a path for engagement, and I will encourage former students and the Commissioner of Education to begin that engagement process.”