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,

…as Bishop Phillips Academy Emerges Champions

Oyo State Government on Tuesday, reiterated its commitment to continue to discover hidden talents in the State through promotion of Sporting Activities.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu stated this at the final match of 2024 edition of the Oyo Governor’s Cup, played at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba Ibadan.

The Commissioner explained that the State Government has not only given a voice and a face to football talents across the State, but also providing hope and a veritable platform of success for the numerous talents that are being discovered through school Sports.

He commended the Organisers of the Football Competition, (Peculair Ultimate Concerns Ltd), noting that, the door is open to any company willing to partner the Government in developing the sport activities in the State.

Earlier in his remarks,

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of School Sports Foundation, Yomi Elijah appreciated everyone that supported the initiative and vowed to make the Competition get bigger and better in the next edition.

At the end of the final match, Bishop Phillips Academy, Ibadan, defeated Bashorun High School, 4 – 0 to emerge champions.

Over 200 teams participated in the 2024 Oyo Governor’s Cup, with Olanipekun Memorial High School emerging winners of the Third Place after defeating Government College Ibadan, 2-0.

The event had in attendance, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Wasilat Adegoke, Ex-Super Eagles Midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju, Oyo State FA Chairman, HRM, Oba James Odeniran, Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Project Manager, Engineer Lekan Olarenwaju, Tunde Adesanya, Special Adviser to the Governor on Sports Development, Mrs. Oladipo Olubukola, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of youths and Sports and many other dignitaries.

The Competition is an initiative of the Schools Sports Foundation, headed by Yomi Elijah, a UK trained Football Coach and former Coach of Remo Stars, Lobi Stars, ABS FC, Kogi United and is proudly sponsored by Peculiar Ultimate Concerns.

Other partners were Olafiranye Sports Foundation, the Oyo State Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sports, Oyo State Sports Council, Kidzfoot Nigeria and others.

E-Signed

Media Team MoES&T,

Oyo State Governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde has approved the appointment of Professor Razaq Olatunde Rom Kalilu as the substantive Vice Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology LAUTECH Ogbomoso.

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 Tuesday.

The statement stated further, that Prof. Kalilu is to serve as a Substantive Vice Chancellor for a single term of five years with effect from 12th June, 2024.

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

Prof Kalilus’s a well-established figure in the world of art and art history.

He joined the service of LAUTECH on September 1, 1992 and was pronounced a Professor of Arts and Arts History in the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, twenty-four years ago on October 1, 1999 and was appointed as Acting Vice-Chancellor on June 12, 2023.

Kalilu, an alumnus of the prestigious University of Ife and the University of Ibadan, is a polymath and specialist in Form and Material Technology.

His administrative skills and leadership experiences are intense, integrous and ambidextrous.

Among the numerous academic leadership positions he held, he was Head of Department of Fine and Applied Arts from 1998 to 2003; Dean of Faculty of Environmental Sciences from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2012 to 2016; Chairman, Committee of Deans in 2004; and from 2004 to 2006 the Chairman, Committee of Deans and Provosts, he was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of LAUTECH between 2006 and 2008.

Professor Kalilu is a recipient of many national and international prizes and awards, which include: the Gold Medal in the 1978 – 1979 All Africa Painting Contest; Elected Membership of the New York Academy of Sciences in recognition of his contributions to Science and Technology; Merit Prize in International Postage Stamp Design Contest in 1997; the Outstanding People of the 20th Century Outstanding Achievement Medal in 2000; and the Twentieth Century Achievement Award in 2001.

His other prizes and awards include his selection as one of the 1000 Leaders of World Influence for the 21st century in year 2000, and the distinguished and exceptional Universal Award of Accomplishment in 2000. Furthermore, he received the Development in Nigeria Merit Award in 2006.

Professor Rom Kalilu is a member of several academic and intellectual organizations which include the Australian Ceramic Society, and the International Association of Astronomical Artists and is a Fellow of the Society of Nigerian Artists.

Furthermore, he is a Justice of the Peace of Oyo State. Professor Razaq Olatunde Rom Kalilu hails from Ogbomoso and is married with children.

*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,