Stakeholders advocate PPP for education sector growth

Abiola Ajimobi, governor of Oyo State, has called on well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to partner with government in the education sector to ensure that needed infrastructure and conducive teaching and learning environments are provided in state-owned educational institutions.

Education would better be delivered when it is not left in the hands of government alone, he stated, even as he expressed his administration’s commitment to making The Polytechnic, Ibadan and the two new polytechnics in Eruwa and Saki true centres of excellence in technological education.

Ajimobi made the call while speaking at the 30th convocation ceremony of The Polytechnic; Ibadan stressing that the partnership had become necessary in order not to leave the responsibilities in the hands of the government alone.

Ajimobi also said that his government had noted the requests by The Polytechnic, Ibadan for re-accreditation and accreditation of some of its programmes which were aimed at certifying the institution’s suitability to continue to train students in the courses being offered, as well as the introduction of new ones, adding that the requests were being considered.

The governor also acknowledged the efforts of the management of the institution over the years towards providing needed infrastructure and the enabling environment for a functional and productive education.

“The potency of education, especially “Technological Education” for improved national productivity and socio-economic transformation of any nation, cannot be over-emphasised. It is the measure upon which indices of growth and development are hinged,” he said.

Ajimobi described technological education is a vital instrument for eliminating illiteracy, reducing unemployment and poverty and a catalyst for development, adding therefore that it must therefore continue to be given priority attention.

While congratulating the graduands for the successful completion of their various programmes, he reminded them that they had only completed a major leg of their determinations to make it in life, having successfully undergone the rigours of classroom work, practical and industrial attachments which had made them worthy of the award.

“This is the time to put what you have learnt to practice and let the virtues of hard work, dedication to duty, perseverance and high moral standard that you have imbibed during your training, be your watchword.

“You are charged to harness the entrepreneurship in you to create jobs for yourself and others. The reality of the present time is that white collar jobs are becoming far between. Your handiwork is the pointer to your future,’ he said.

In his address, Olatunde Fawole, the rector of the institution, commended Governor Ajimobi for the way he had been managing the affairs of the state, which he said had engendered peace and progress, and particularly, within the polytechnic and other institutions in the state.

“Since your administration came on board in 2011, we have been graduating our students in exactly the year they completed their studies. This had been made possible following the attention that your government had been paying to the affairs of the various tertiary institutions in the state,” he said.

The school graduated 4, 977 students.

Remi Feyisipo