Makinde promises students more benefits, if re-elected

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, says he will continue to reposition tertiary education in the state, if re-elected for a second term as the state governor.

Makinde made the promise in Ibadan on Monday at the 2022 International Students’ Day celebration with the theme: “Change Makers”.

It was organised by the Office of Mr Victor Olojede, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Affairs.

While showcasing his achievements, the governor said that his administration would continue to engage students and see to their welfare and provide facilities and infrastructure that would aid teaching and learning.

Makinde urged the students to use their voter cards wisely as history beacons.

He said from the sole ownership of LAUTECH to the reduction of school fees by 15 per cent, accreditation of courses for The Polytechnic, Ibadan and provision of bursary to students, his administration would ensure that issues affecting students were promptly attended to.

“We will continue to ensure that you have no reason to protest. For three years, there has been no violent protests by students in Oyo State.

“And, if there is a need for a peaceful protest, we will continue to respect your right to peaceful protest, but we encourage dialogue,” Makinde said.

In a keynote address, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnership, University of Ibadan, enjoined students to identify problems they could solve in their environment.

Adeyemo, who is the Lead, Tsoriel Solutions Ltd., said: “Change makers are those who are proactive, pioneering and passionate about their course.

“They are resilient and aren’t deterred by failure. We all should be finding home-grown solutions to socioeconomic challenges in Nigeria.

“Initial efforts should be directed toward unblocking our minds, changing our mindset.

“We must challenge the existing paradigms that led us into the rot we lament about; we should create novel ways to do business and life that positively impacts our communities.

“Thus, igniting the “CHANGE” we desire to see, one changemaker at a time. Everyone has change-making in their DNA, it is just a matter of unlocking it,” Adeyemo said.

Earlier, Oloyede, commended the governor for fulfilling his promises to reposition education in the state.

He highlighted the numerous interventions of the state government in various tertiary institutions in the state and the huge impact it has on the education sector.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a student, Olorunfemi Oyasowo, designed the portrait given to the Makinde at the event for excellent performance.