The Oyo State Government has released the 2023/2024 Academic Session Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) timetable, for Public and Private Schools in the State.

The announcement was made by the Registrar of Education, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Awodeji Johnson, on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu on Wednesday.

The timetable outlines the dates and subjects for the examination, as this move aims to ensure proper planning and preparation for the Examination.

The timetable indicates that BECE will commence with National Value and Christian Religious/Islamic Studies on 23rd July, 2024 and end with Arabic Language / Hausa/Igbo language , on Thursday,  August 1st, 2024.

The Commissioner noted that the Examination is expected to commence across the State at all designated centres by 9.00am daily.

Similarly, the 2024 Screening /Placement exercise will hold on Saturday, 27th July, 2024, with Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning/Basic Science and Technology; English Studies/Verbal Reasoning/Social Studies between 9:00am to 11:00 am.

He explained that the release of the time-table demonstrates the Oyo State Government’s commitment to providing quality education and maintaining a standardized examination process.

He therefore enjoined schools, teachers, and students to align their study plans and revision schedules accordingly.

The Commissioner also urged concerned stakeholders to disseminate the information to all relevant parties, to ensure everyone is well-informed and adequately prepared for the examination.

E-signed

Media Team MoES&T

Oyo Govt Donates 2 Toyota Buses to College of Education, Lanlate

Oyo State Government has donated an 18-Seater Toyota Hiace High Roof Bus and Brand-new Toyota Hiace (Ambulance) to Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate.

Presenting the buses on behalf of the Government to the Management of the Institution on Thursday, at the Presidential lodge of Oyo State government house, Prof. Salihu  Adelabu, said the buses were meant for seamless running and management of the school.

The Commissioner reiterated Governor Makinde’s administration’s commitment to prioritizing education and ensuring that students and staff have access to conducive learning environments.

He maintained that Buses were to assist in reducing the difficulties faced by students and staff of the school, thereby creating a more conducive learning environment.

He said that the Buses will improve the overall well-being and academic success of the students, as well as to give the institution a face lift.

He maintained that the Ministry will work with TETFUND to build Modern laboratories and ICT Centers for the use of the Students at the College.

He charged the management of the institution to continue to produce students that will be useful to the State, Nigeria and globally.

According to him, “the buses donated shall reduce the mobility challenges at the college of education and enhance vehicular movement to lecture centres”

‘Government’s donation to this  college will assist them in  producing  qualified Teachers in various Academic Field of Study.

” Also, the management of the college should intensify efforts in using the Vehicles donated to enhance the academic performance of the College.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Governing Council, Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate, Dr. Bisi Ojebola , attributed the success recorded so far by the management of the institution to the tremendous support received from the governor of the state.

Dr. Ojebola revealed that the institution has collaborated with Oye Ekiti and Akoko Akungba Universities to train and produce capable hands, adding that the first set will graduate next year.

While appreciating the governor for the gesture, Dr. Ojebola, said the institution will not relent in its efforts but continue to improve on its outputs.

He called on the union leaders to continually work in synergy with state owned tertiary institutions to achieve set goals and get desired attention and support from the government at the appropriate time,

He said :” We thank the governor for the enormous support, he encouraged us to look beyond the college. Also, the college was unable to pay staff salaries before, but the governor took it up.

“ We also thank the commissioner for education and staffers of the ministry for their cooperation because without their support, we might not have achieved this”

“ The college is currently running degree programmes in collaboration with two universities from other states, by next year, our first set will graduate.

“ We promised to justify the gesture and continue to improve on our activities”.

E-Signed

Media Team MoES&T,

Oyo State Government has expressed its readiness to partner with the University of Wolverhampton, U.K and Comfort Eduserve Ltd to further improve the standard of education in the State and develop the sector as a whole.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, stated this while playing host to the management team of the University of Wolverhampton, U.k and Comfort Eduserve Ltd led by its Director Dr. Babatunde Olawoore at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

The Commissioner noted that the present administration led by Governor Seyi Makinde is willing to explore collaborations with critical stakeholders in the sector for its development.

He acknowledged the roles being played by the Director, Comfort Eduserve Ltd, Dr. Babatunde Olawoore in promoting the education sector in the State.

He said: “Education is one of the pillars upon which this administration is resting.”So, any support from any quarter is welcome. Rest assured that more patronage is on the way from the Government of Oyo State, we do appreciate this gesture. On behalf of the Government and the people of Oyo State.

I want to say thank you and that we appreciate you, and we also look forward to more collaborations.”

He explained that the present administration in the State would continue to prioritize education, stating that the door of the ministry is open to any support that can assist the education sector in the State.

Earlier, the Senior International Recruitment Manager, University of Wolverhampton, Jenny Hyde said that the University is ready to collaborate with Oyo State in promoting education.

She noted that the University is willing to collaborate with the ministry of education to uplift the education sector in the State.

In his remarks, the Director of the Comfort Eduserve Ltd, Dr. Babatunde Olawoore, appreciated the commissioner and the Government of the State for providing an enabling environment for the company to thrive.

He explained that Comfort Eduserve Ltd is planning to sponsor inter-University quiz competitions for both private and public Universities in Oyo, Osun, and Ogun States.

He hinted that the upcoming quiz competition would enable students of concerned universities to showcase their talents and potential.

He maintained that the project is aligned with the efforts of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde’s investment in quality education and professional development of students in the State.

He hinted that the upcoming quiz competition would provide platforms for excellent students to improve their competence in their various areas of expertise with top universities abroad including the University of Wolverhampton.

He explained that Comfort Eduserve Ltd had supported over 1500 students abroad and some of them are back home doing well in the State.

*E-Signed

Media Team MoES&T,

…tasks School Mgt To Beef up Security within the Campus

Oyo State Government has called for calm among parties involved in the lingering crisis at Ajayi Crowther University Oyo, while security agencies investigate to ascertain the origin of the incident for appropriate action.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Salihu Adelabu in a statement issued and made available to newsmen on Tuesday, said that the State Government has been discussing with the management of the institution towards finding lasting solutions to the crisis.

He said that the Seyi Makinde led administration is committed to providing a peaceful environment for academic excellence; hence, there is a need for the students to abide by the rules and regulations laid down by authorities of various institutions.

He enjoined the students of the institution to stay away from activities capable of jeopardizing their future, but strive for excellence at all times.

The commissioner, however, charged the management of the school to beef up security within the campus to forestall the reoccurrence of such an incident and ensure culprits are brought to book.

It could be recalled that a 200-level engineering student of the university, Alex Timileyi, was beaten to death inside a hostel known as Shepherd Inn on the school premises by his colleagues on Saturday over a claim that he stole a mobile phone.

*E-Signed

Media TeamMoES&T,

..as Edu Commissioner  Tasks Students to play by the rule

The 2024 Secondary Schools Football Competition organized in honour of Governor Seyi Makinde, commenced on Monday in Ibadan.

The opening game of the  championship tagged “Governor’s Cup” took place at the Sports Complex of Urban Day Grammar School, Old-Ife Road, Ibadan.

While addressing  the spectators at the opening game between Urban Day Secondary School and Community Grammar School, Akinlumo, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Oyo State, Prof. Salihu Adelabu tasked the players to uphold  the spirit of sportsmanship and also play the game according to the rules.

He explained that the game will pave the way for students to showcase their talents.

He commended the Organizers of the tournament,  Peculiar Ultimate Concerns for the initiative and his willingness to invest in the development of youths in the State through sporting  activities.

In his remarks, the initiator of the tournament, Yomi Elijah, said that the tournament is aimed at reviving school sports and also to nurture young talents in secondary schools across the State.

The championship themed: ‘Catching Them Young’s,’ sponsored by Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited, is geared towards discovering football talents from the secondary schools in the State and providing a career pathway for them.

The opening game witnessed the presence of the  Coordinating Director, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Christiana Bolaji,

Director of Secondary School, Mr. Olayinka  Akanji, the Former Super Eagles  Player, Mutiu Adepoju and a host of others.

The game ended in favour of Urban Day  Secondary School,  five(5) goals to Nil.

*E-Signed

Media Team  MoES&T

..calls for proper registration of Continuing Education Centers

Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, on Friday, led the team from the Ministry on inspection visit and monitoring of the conduct of the ongoing Joint Admission and Matriculation Examination in Ibadan metropolis.

Some Centres inspected by the team were Yimbo College E-learning Center,  University of Ibadan, Distance learning Center, ICT Centre, Esther Oshikoya CBT Center among others.

Speaking during the exercise, Prof. Salihu expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the examination at the centres, commending the JAMB for conducting a hitch free examination.

He maintained that the present administration led by Governor Seyi Maknde  will continue to create an enabling environment for the education business to thrive in the State.

He called on owners of the continuing education centers to cooperate with the State Government in its pursuit to standardize the educational sector in line with international best practices.

He urged the Continuing Education Centers and JAMB Centers in the State to do the proper registration with the Ministry of Education in the State.

The Commissioner, however, urged operators of tutorial and continuing educational centres across the State to register with the Department of Higher and Continuing Education and comply with all laid down regulations, including payment of stipulated fees, to avoid being shut down.

The monitoring team includes the Coordinating Director, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Christiana Bolaji, the Directors and Deputy Directors from the Ministry.

*E-Signed

Media Team  MoES&T

…as Govt Hosts BESDA AF-TESS Implementation Support Mission

Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, on Tuesday, said that the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration is working on  the path of reducing the numbers of out of school children in the State by ten percent.

Prof. Salihu  Adelabu , said this at a 3-Day Support Mission Organized by the Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology for three BESDA AF- TESS Beneficiary States, that is Oyo, Adamawa and Kastina, in Collaboration with the World Bank at the University of Ibadan.

The Commissioner explained that all school aged children are expected to have access to quality education, irrespective of their background.

He hinted that the Government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that residents have access to quality education, thereby improving numeracy and literacy levels in the State.

While enumerating the importance of the BESDA  – AF- TESS project, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, revealed that the programme is in line with the Sustainable Development Goal four and Seventeen, that by 2030, education should be for all.

He said further: “This BESDA Additional Financing is targeting four major points. First is access, there should be school for all the school aged children must be in the school.

The other one is quality; that is why we are strengthening the system, we are putting a lot of things in place to make sure that there is access, there is quality and there is improvement in our numeracy and literacy level in the State”.

“In the last administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, 20 percent of our out of school children were back in school, and we are working around 10 percent because we want that to be reduced drastically”

In his remarks, the Commissioner for  Education and Human Capital Development, Adamawa State, Dr. Umar Garba Tella, said concerted Efforts would be made so that the aims and objectives of the program development partners in Adamawa State comes into fruition.

He expressed gratitude to the World Bank for supporting the Government of Adamawa State in its determined efforts to provide the children the right access to acquire quality education, regardless of where they live.

“This project is a performance-based project, two indicators were given to us in Adamawa, and we are happy to partner with the World Bank. Fundamentally, we want a situation whereby there won’t be any child in the State, that is out of school, there won’t be any school without a teacher”

Also speaking, Education Specialist, World Bank, Martin De Simone, hinted that the  intervention was targeted at improving the quality of teaching and learning in basic schools, providing infrastructure and increasing the numbers of classrooms.

He advised participating States to learn from each other and focus largely on how to achieve results within the program life span.

In their separate remarks, the National and Oyo State Project Coordinators, Dr. Mrs. Folake Olatunji David and Dr. Bamidele Odekunle said the program is basically to transform the education system by identifying gaps in the participating States and offering necessary support to bring about inclusive quality education for all and ensure that children with special needs are not being marginalized.

The duo revealed that the purpose of the programme was for the three States to meet and review the level of jobs done by each State and share valuable ideas.

Dr. Odekunle also affirmed that the project has added an immeasurable valve to education standards in Oyo State, noting that over a million children are expected to be mobbed in the streets to schools in the three beneficiary States.

*E-Signed

Media Team, MoES&T,

Oyo State Governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde has approved the appointment of Dr. Taiwo Abideen Lasisi as Acting Rector of the Ibadan Polytechnic.

This is contained in a statement signed by the State’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Saturday.

The statement stated further, that Dr. Taiwo lasis is to serve in an acting capacity for six months with the effectiveness of 25th March, 2024 till 25th September, 2024.

He explained that the appointment became imperative following the expiration of the tenure of the Prof Kazeem Adebiyi on 24th March, 2024.

He said that the Government looks forward to his hard work, diligence, and professionalism in realizing its mission for the institution.

Dr. Lasis, is a committed academic with wide experience in applied sciences with special skills in Statistics for national development.

He received a Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Statistics from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and a Doctorate of Philosophy Degree in Statistics (Time Series Analysis) from the University of Botswana, Botswana, South Africa.

He has a very significant experience working in the administration of academic units in tertiary institutions.

He was a former Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Academic Planning and Control Unit, The Polytechnic Ibadan, among other administrative responsibilities that he has upheld in my academic career.

He lectured at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology as an acting Head of the Department of Statistics to date.

He belongs to two foremost social cultural groups in Ibadan, Ibadan Solidarity Group(ISG) and Ibadan Action Council(IAC), both are affiliates of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes(CCII).

He is happily married and blessed with children.

*E-Signed

Media Team, MoES&T

…as institution graduates 15,920

Oyo State government, Engineer Seyi Makinde on Friday, tasked the polytechnic Ibadan to use its technological training and Know-how to develop Solar power that will serve areas within the institution.

The governor, who was represented by the commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu said Polytechnic/Technical education is the basic foundation for technological development of any nation.

He challenged the institution to do more, especially in the area of technological training, science, innovation, and creativity, which will make the products of the Institution self-employed as well as employers of labour.

He explained that the Polytechnic, Ibadan was the first institution that his administration released the sum of Two Hundred Million Naira (N200,000,000:00) only for the accreditation and re-accreditation of its academic programmes by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

He maintained that the Polytechnic of Ibadan is one of the institutions that brought glory and fame to Oyo State.

He enjoined the graduands to be self-employed as well as employers of labour.

He noted that the students with technological background will not have plans to ‘japa’ but rather join hands with the Government to develop the State.

He stressed that 20.88% has just been budgeted for Education, saying this has shown the commitment his administration has for education.

He therefore, pledged to continue to give moral and financial support for the Polytechnic of Ibadan.

Earlier in his speech, the rector, the polytechnic, Ibadan, Prof Kazeem Adeniyi appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde for releasing the sum of two hundred million Naira for the purchase of accreditation equipment and hosting of officials from NBTE.

He explained that a strategic plan of Accelerated Academic, Institutional and Infrastructural Development was developed as a road map to sustainable value creation for operational excellence.

He maintained that his objectives such as expanding the capacity of operations and services; financial stability and sustainability; enhancing infrastructure for effective delivery of the Institution’s mandate were achieved.

He urged all the graduands to protect the name and integrity of the institution wherever they find themselves.

He appreciated the stakeholders and donors who contributed immensely to the promotion of students and the development of the institution.
In his remarks, one of the donors that gave one Million Naira cash award to the best graduating students, Dr.Babatunde Olawore, Director Comfort Eduserve Limited,said the gesture was a demonstration of his commitment to making an impact on the lives and welfare of the students.
He said he will continue to contribute his quota for the development of education in the State.

He called on the graduands to abide by the morals imparted on them to enable them to excel in their fields of endeavours.

The Governor was later commissioned Engineer Seyi Makinde Academic Staff Office Complex and the Institution Radio Reiz 101.9 Fm Radio station.

The Oyo State Government is set to adopt the use of technology-based teaching and learning methods for teachers and students in public primary and secondary schools in the State.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Salihu Adelabu made this known at the Innovation Africa 2023 Africa’s Official Ministerial Summit held at Kigali, Rwanda.

He noted that Governor Makinde led administration has a strong passion to enhance learning and teaching through modern technology.

He stressed the need for adequate use of technology to improve teaching and learning outcomes across all Africa Countries.

The Commissioner for Education, noted that the adoption of ICT to teach in schools would pave the way for innovations and industrial opportunities.

He expressed the readiness of the Oyo State Government to ensure teachers in its public primary and secondary schools are well-trained on Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

He submitted that for teachers to meet with 21st-century education, ICT will become the most important teaching method.

He said: ” Africa is making a remarkable in using technology method approach in teaching and learning in schools.

“It is an emerging approach or technique in Africa, bringing an innovation and technology into teaching and learning in our schools in Africa, we require some major features, the first one is infrastructure, learning application, readiness of teachers, students and other stakeholders, if all these are put in place, it will be easy for Africans to adopt the innovation and technology in teaching and learning in the Countries.

“It is necessary for all African Countries to start using technology to drive teaching and learning in our classrooms, Nigeria is not doing badly because millions of Nigerians are used to android phones, tablets, laptops, desktops and there are other Africa Countries that are doing very well too, such as Tanzanian, South Africa. It is necessary for all African Countries to migrate from the conventional teaching to technology teaching in our classrooms.

“The present administration in Oyo State aims at reforming the State educational system by deploying technology for effective classroom management and optimum performance for teachers and pupils.’

2023 Innovation Africa Summit is firmly established as the continent’s number one high level ministerial forum where industry partners enjoy pre-scheduled meetings and committed engagement with ministers and senior Government officials from over 40 countries. Innovation Africa is designed as a productive and enjoyable meetings-based summit, ensuring high-level engagement between leading education & ICT solution providers and senior Government officials.

Participated in the summit were, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr.Adeniyi Olusanjo, Director of Higher and Continuing Education, Mr. Adewale Oluwole and Director Information and Technology, Engr. Adabanija Raheemat.