By: Afolabi Peter
In line with the activities of the Oyo State government to improve and give better and quality education to citizens of the state, the Oyo state government in collaboration with the Oyo state student bodies organized a day summit to commemorate the International Students Day.
The event which took place on Wednesday 18th November, 2020 at the International Conference Centre (ICC), University of Ibadan had in attendance students from citadels of learning in the state.
Dignitaries present at the event includes Political office holder in the state, some of which include Seun Fakorede, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Olalere Olasukanmi Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adesola Ajayi, chairman Governing council the Oke-Ogun polytechnic among others.
In his welcome address, the Special Adviser (SA) Students’ Affairs to the Oyo state governor Honourable Victor Olojede, mentioned some of the activities of the Oyo state government since its assumption into office which included the introduction of free and qualitative education as one of its four pillars, the eradication of the era of endless strike action at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomosho, the eradication at all level of our primary and secondary schools the out of school children, as well as the distribution of student palliatives to students in respect to Covid-19.
He also made known the intention of the government to eradicate the era of endless strike action in Oyo state public institutions.
He said “as a youth friendly government, our youth are well represented at the highest decision making organ of the government, that is why the government has approved a sum of 500 million naira MSME fund for youth entrepreneur and have also approved the 2020 bursary for Oyo state students in the law school’.
He further said that the Oyo state government administration will continue to do all things within its capacity to empower the student with all that is required to compete with their counterparts around the world.
In the keynote Address titled “Create The Future, Learning For Peace,” Professor Adesola Ajayi, the Chairman, Governing Council of the Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, emphasized on the need for peace at all levels.
He said: “One of the fundamental problem we face today is moral degeneration as well as misused intelligence, there is no doubt that today’s generation are very intelligent, exposed and informed but there is a misdirection of all those things”.
He further encouraged the youth to direct their energy into the right source. “Look at how much energy people are putting into yahoo, every time I think of that, what if they direct it into more useful form , can you imagine the type of wealth that would have been created,” he said.
As he rounded off his speech, Professor Ajayi appreciated the leadership of his Excellency Engineer Seyi Makinde for the opportunity given to young people to serve.
In a similar vein, the Commissioner for Youth and Sport of the State, Honorable Seun Fakorede admonished the students not to limit themselves but consider themselves the way they ought to be and that in any situation the find themselves they should not act the age but the capabilities.
The event also featured a panel discussion where issues on how to create the future as a student were discussed and deliberated on by the invited guests.
During the discussion, Miss Funmi Sodipe from the Department of Environmental Health, University of Ibadan, charged the students present that “Creating the future is now, as students (need to)be more deliberate about education, the future has started and it is in your hand, you have to be deliberate about what you do, be deliberate about learning, education does not have to be limited to you being a student of any university, it is something that you do every minutes, every time that you have the opportunity to.”
Another Panelist, Prince Banky Ojutalayo, the Chairman of Triangle Africa said: “you have to envision the future, if you cannot see your future there is no way you can see someone else future and without you envisioning the future there is no way you can plan for it, plans do change but the most important thing is for all of us to always have an active plan, You have to see your future and plan for it.
“At triangle we try to encourage people in what they love, we are trying to stimulate an interest in your space and create a lot of plans along that interest.
“You have to dream of something before achieving it. The future is here and we need to create our plans, realistic plans and work toward it.
“At triangle our main focus is helping young people to discover their passion”.
Also, Oxlade a Creative Entrepreneur told the students that success does not come easily as one has “to make a bold step so that your live can change”.
Another Panelist, Mr. Yusuff Olalere, the Best Graduating Student 2020 at the Nigeria Law School said: “In pursuing a goal there will be time you will want to give up but one thing that will help you to succeed is to have plans, for instance I have plan A,B and C and all these plans were geared towards achieving my goals, and in case you have plans and you are working towards it but its effects is not forth coming, what you will do is to have an alternative plan so as to achieve your goals.”
There was also the presentation of awards by the representatives of the student bodies to important dignitaries who have contributed to the growth of education in the state, some of which include his Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde who was represented by the commissioner for education in the state, and Engineer Dotun Sanusi.
An award of excellence was also presented to Mr. Yusuff Olalere for his outstanding performance at the Nigeria Law School 2020.
