It was indeed an epoch event on Tuesday 31st July, 2018, at the prestigious Professor Emeritus Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall, UCH, Ibadan, as a PDP governorship aspirant in Oyo state, Engr. Seyi Makinde expended a huge sum of fifty million naira (50m) on Bursary Scheme Award.
2,500 indigent students of Oyo state across tertiary institutions, out of 10,000 that applied, benefited from this year's edition of the annual scheme, which has been in existence since 2006.
Former Minister of Youths and Sports Professor Taoheed Adedoja, who chaired the occasion, described the scheme as a life empowerment of the youths for self-development and the development of the country, as the future of Nigeria lies in nothing than education. “PVC will qualify you to vote but PVC cannot empower you. It will only take care of 2019. Your PVC for life is education. This scheme is to empowering you for the future”, he told the beneficiaries. He also said inadequate funding of education is one the country's mistakes. "One of our mistakes in Nigeria is not giving priority to education. We budget high for defence but the rights of Nigerians to live in every part of Nigeria are not defended.
When the election is over, you keep your PVC it is the scheme and education that will take you where you should be. I believe that members of the board of trustees have put in machinery in motion to ensure that this scheme continues to do good to educational development in this country”, he stated.
In their remarks, Dr. Saka Balogun, a former Chief of Staff to the Governor of Oyo State and Elder Adeniji both commended Engr. Seyi Makinde's efforts on capacity building and for being consistent.
While speaking at the event, founder of the scheme Engr. Seyi Makinde said that the poor state of education in Oyo State could be traced to the fact that a very small fraction of the state’s budget goes to Education. "UNESCO advised that 26% of our budget should be committed to education. Last year, Oyo State budgeted ₦280 billion, 2.5% of it was for education”. He went on to say that if elected, “Oyo State will commit minimum of 5% in the first year up to 12% in the fourth year”, he stated.
Makinde also revealed that when he becomes governor of Oyo state come 2019, education wil be given priority. Education will rest on four legs: infrastructure, schools will have buildings, furniture and other facilities that will provide a conducive environment for learning. You will have people that will implement policies and impart learning those are teachers. Some of them are being owed. We will ensure that they are adequately motivated. We will take the issue of teachers beyond cosmetics. We will ensure that schools are adequately funded. All schools will be mega, not by selecting six or seven schools located on the main road. Our students will not learn using used tyres as chairs. They will learn in properly equipped schools and we will implement 30 students per class policy”.
Some of the dignitaries at the event include Engr. Akin Caleb; Busari Olayemi; Hon. Depo Oyedokun; Chief Adedeji Olajide Pedro; Alhaji Adebisi Olopeeniyan; Prof. Taoheed Adedoja; Senator Kamoru Adedibu; Chairman Omititun Christian Association, Chief Adekola; Chief Imam of Omititun Mosque, Alhaji Mojeed Lanase; Ahaji Olaniran; Dr. Remi Ayodele; Hon Samuel Adejumobi;Hon. Adelabu; Chief Bayo Lawal; State Exco of PDP in Oyo state; Engr. Lere Adigun; Prince Adebayo Adeyemi; State Secretary of PDP, Hon Wasiu Adeleke; Prince Segun Adeloore; Chief Samue Olawuwo; Chief Sunday Ogunlade; Surveyor Owolabi; Elder Adeniji; Mrs. Kemi Moradeyo; representative of Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Alhaji Wahaba Atere; Pastor B.O Akanmu; Chief Jacob Adetoro; Mogaji Nureni Akanbi; Dr. Saka Balogun; Primate Ola Makinde; veteran actor and President of TAMPAN, Dele Odule who anchored the event and many others.
