The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has begun a verification exercise of all Better Education Service for All (BESDA) focused centres in Oyo State.

Speaking at the flag-off of a 5-day training of NBS Enumerators in Ibadan today, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran said the Board would collaborate with NBS to ensure a hitch-free exercise in the State.

Adeniran said his office, in partnership with office of the Statistician General of the State, would ensure the enumerators have unhindered access to the 21 BESDA focus Local Government Areas in the State, adding that this will assist the government in attaining its aim to eradicate Out-Of-School Children menace in the State.

“We assure the NBS management that the State Government, through the Board will accord the verification agents all the necessary support and information they may require”, he said.

Adeniran added that the State Government will ensure pupils in affected BESDA focus-schools stay back, despite the holidays, during the verification exercise, to ease the process.

“BESDA is a programme-for-result, funded by the World Bank to support increase in access to basic education by raising equitable access for Out-Of-School Children (OOSC), improve literacy and strengthen accountability for results in basic education in Nigeria. We are determined to make it work in Oyo State”, Adeniran said.

Adeniran noted that the State is ready for NBS visitation in the selected schools across the state, to verify the authenticity of records kept by the implementing schools.

He added that the Board will also provide data for the assessment of four Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) on which the state would be rewarded.

“We welcome the NBS team and its Enumerators. This particular exercise, which is the second Phase, would be conducted in the 21 BESDA focus LGAs in our State”, he said.

Speaking earlier, the South-West Zonal Controller, NBS, Mr. Bayo Okunuga hinted that the trained enumerators, who are also referred to as NBS verification agents, would be deployed across various local governments to collect data.

He thanked the Oyo State Government for its commitment towards the success of BESDA and NBS’ verification in the State.

Also in attendance were the Statistician General of Oyo State, Mr. Adekunle Teslim Adejuwon; the Coordinating Director of OYOSUBEB, Mrs. Abosede Owoeye and other management team of the Board.

E-signed:

Olamide Adeniji,

Head, Media Team, 

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.

The Oyo State Government has reinstated 129 public primary school teachers, unlawfully sacked by the previous administration.

The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran stated this today, while congratulating the teachers.

He said the Executive Council of Oyo State has approved that a total of 129 officers wrongly dismissed by the Oyo State Government between 2011 and 2019 for reinstatement, subject to agreeing not to demand for arrears payment for the period they were away which the State converted to leave of absence.

Adeniran appreciated the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde for his kindness and selfless consideration in administering the Pacesetter State.

He noted that the recent reinstatement of the State’s 129 school teachers who were fired by the previous administration, is a symbolic achievement that cannot be neglected.

“This is a plus for the education sector. Apart from being an addition to the dwindling number of teachers in the public primary sector, thousands of family dependents who have been subjected to untold economic hardship due to the layoff of their breadwinners will now have a new lease of life”, Adeniran said.

Adeniran therefore called on teachers in the State to reciprocate Makinde’s gesture, through commitment to duties and redoubling their dedication to work.

He also called on them to key into the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration’s goal to change the narratives in the education sector of the State.

E-signed:

Olamide Adeniji,

Head, Media Team, 

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.

The Oyo State Government has sanctioned some Head-teachers for collecting illegal fees and denying pupils access to examination halls during the ongoing Public Primary Schools Unified Examination.

The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran disclosed this today while monitoring the Exams in Ibadan.

Dr. Nureni Adeniran said five Head-teachers of Methodist Basic School, (School 1-5), Gan-gansi were found culpable in the alleged illegal collection of fees, spearheaded by the School-Based Management Committee of the school, who chased the pupils home.

Adeniran, who said the present administration has abolished collection of any development Levy in all schools across the State, frowned at the School authority’s role in compelling parents to contribute the said fee.

“No doubt SBMCs, PTAs can contribute to the development of their local schools. But, it must not in any way affect the education of pupils”, he added.

“No child should be discriminated against, in the State Education sector”, Adeniran insisted.

According to him, some parents had reported to the Board that Head-teachers of the school denied their children access to Examination hall for failure to pay N100 development levy charged by the School’s management and SBMC, through a popular radio station in Ibadan.

Adeniran said the present administration, under Governor Seyi Makinde’s leadership would not fold its arms and allow saboteurs to ridicule its efforts in mandating free education.

He added that the ongoing education reforms of the present administration in the State, has yielded huge results that must not be sabotaged.

Dr. Adeniran therefore directed that the affected Head-teachers should be given queries to serve as a deterrent to others who may be collecting such illegal fees.

“For denying Governor Seyi Makinde’s Pupils access to write exams, queries have been issued to Head-teachers of Methodist Basic School, 1-5”, he said.

The SUBEB boss also directed that all learners should be allowed to sit for exams without any form of hindrance.

He urged Teachers in all public schools to adhere strictly to the State Government’s policies and directives on Education.

Some of the schools visited include, IMG, Ibuko Ibadan South East LGA; Ratibi Muslim school, Molete, South-West; IMG Basic School, Idi-Iroko, Molete.

Adeniran, who led a team of officials from SUBEB also visited Islamic Mission School 1, Bode, Ibadan; Methodist Basic School 1-5, Gan-gansi and Community Primary School, Awotunde, Ona-ara LGA and a host of others.

He said the monitoring exercise continues in the course of the week, which will also be extended to other zones of the State, including Ogbomoso, Oyo, Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa.

E-signed:

Olamide Adeniji, 

Head, Media Team, 

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.

…As SUBEB Boss Says Recruitment Plans Ongoing 

The Universal Basic Education Commission has commended the qualitative education pupils in Oyo State are enjoying under the Governor Seyi-Makinde led administration. The Commission has also called on the State Government to recruit more teachers into primary schools.

The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi gave the charge today in Ibadan, as part of the 2022 National Personnel Audit team’s recommendation to the State Government.

Bobboyi said the need to recruit more teachers became manifest during the just concluded Personnel Audit Exercise in the State by the Commission in collaboration with OYOSUBEB.

He however commended the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board for cooperating with its Audit team in the conduct of the National Personnel Audit Exercise.

Speaking through the head of the team, Engr. Muhammed Bello, the ES said, “we urge the Oyo State Government to look into recruitment of teachers into the public primary schools in the State”.

He pledged the commitment of the commission to look into other areas to move basic education forward in Oyo State.

He added that the National Personnel Audit Exercise was a major activity in data gathering used in planning and development of education.

Bobboyi said that the commission discovered a lot of progress made, compared to the previous exercise.

According to him, “Though entry is still ongoing, we would give the Board updates on the list and give the State Government accurate data in order to plan and develop basic education.”

He solicited the cooperation of other stakeholders in education in ensuring accurate data so as to know where every Nigerian child of school age was at any given time.

Responding, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran admitted the shortage of teachers in the State, saying the State Government is making efforts to look into fresh recruitment and replacement of seconded teachers in the State.

“We are aware of the shortage of teachers in our primary schools. The State Government under the leadership of our dear Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde is making efforts to ensure the problem is resolved in time”, Adeniran added.

He added that the State Government will continue to collaborate with the Federal Government and other relevant agencies to ensure the public education sector in the State thrives.

Adeniran also hinted that school owners and proprietors operating illegally in the State would be made to face the law.

He warned such schools to regularise their registration by visiting the ministry of Education, Ibadan.

Adeniran reiterated the Oyo State Government’s commitment at revamping education in the State.

Dr. Adeniran commended the National Personnel Audit team’s report on data of schools in the State, adding that the update will help the State in planning its education in the forthcoming fiscal budget.

Media Team, 

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.

…distributes customized exercise books to public school students

The Oyo State Government has announced the cancellation of a six-year waiting period of Teachers in the State, according to the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran.

Adeniran disclosed this today during a live interview programme on the State broadcasting station in Ibadan.

He said the promotion waiting period of teachers on Grade level 13 and above was initially six years, but the State Government has adjusted it to be at par with their colleagues at the mainstream service.

The Chairman added that this was necessitated by the fact that welfare of teachers and stakeholders in the education sector is paramount to the Governor.

Dr. Adeniran applauded Governor Seyi Makinde’s investment in laudable projects, which in turn is enhancing effective learning and quality academic activities.

The SUBEB Boss stressed that the Board and other educational bodies in the State are committed to the gradual improvement and performance of learners.

He also reiterated the commitment of the present administration to sustain its drive for quality education in the State.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barr. Rahman Abiodun Abdu-Raheem said the Oyo State Government has commenced distribution of exercise books to students of Public Secondary Schools and Technical Colleges for the 2021/2022 Academic session.

The Honourable Commissioner said this is another forward leap in the history of education in the State, as this will assist parents in reducing the cost of education of their children.

Barrister Abdu-Raheem noted that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Engineer Makinde had invested much funds on personnel and education materials from the OYO Education Trust Fund’s purse, so as to bring greater development to the sector.

Applauding the Government’s gesture towards his colleagues, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Mr. Raji Oladimeji Ismael said the union appreciates the present administration in Oyo State.

He noted that the present administration has impacted the lives of Teachers in so many ways.

Raji said Makinde has surpassed past administrations, pointing at the recently approved leave grant for teachers, which will be released very soon.

“We are joyous, because the approval of promotion letters to grade level 13-16 of teachers has been a clog in the wheels of progress in our profession. Governor Makinde has done what others could not do. The waiting period of teachers has been removed. Instead of 6 years, we henceforth will wait for three years”, he said.

E-signed:

Hon. Wasiu Olatubosun, Ph.D.,

Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism.

…distributes over 4, 950 History textbooks to schools

The Oyo State Government has directed all public primary schools in the State to immediately implement the teaching of History as an independent subject starting from this term (3rd term) of the 2021/2022 academic session.

The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran disclosed this today, while monitoring schools’ resumption in Ibadan.

Dr. Adeniran who applauded the massive turnout of pupils in public primary schools, said reintroduction of History is in line with the new education policy of the State Government.

He applauded the leadership of Universal Basic Education Commission, Abuja for the technical support received, as well as the supply of textbooks.

Dr. Adeniran said over Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and fifty (4,950) history textbooks are being distributed to public primary schools state-wide, adding that this will give pupils a proper understanding of the Nation’s history.

He hinted that the curriculum would enable pupils to appreciate history as an instrument of national integration, adding that it would allow students to know the history of the country.

Adeniran, an Education expert, who dazzled OYOSUBEB staff members and teachers by teaching pupils, said he was optimistic that the curriculum would equip the younger generations with the knowledge of the past.

The OYOSUBEB Boss said that the importance of history to nation building, patriotism and human development could not be overemphasized.

Meanwhile, he equally appreciated the Heads of Public Primary schools across the State who have commenced academic activities immediately, saying idleness of teachers or pupils would not be tolerated.

Adeniran, who continued the monitoring exercise alongside other members of the board expressed satisfaction with the situation they met at some schools visited, compared to the turnout of pupils last week.

The Chairman, however, called on other parents, whose children are yet to return to schools to kindly ensure they do so without hesitation, as academic activities have commenced.

The Executive Chairman and his team monitored schools across Local Governments in Ibadan and Ibadan less city.

Media Team, 

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.

The Oyo State Government has called on parents to ensure they prepare their children and wards for resumption, as the 2021/2022 session third term academic activities have started.

This was jointly stated today by the Honourable Commissioner for Education Science and Technology and the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Barrister Rahman Abiodun Abdu-Raheem and Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, in Ibadan.

While monitoring schools’ resumption, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Abdu-Raheem expressed optimism that the low turnout of students in most schools visited, would be improved upon by the following week.

The Commissioner asserted that the low turnout observed is an indicator that better approaches should be adopted in the teachers’/students relationship.

Abdu-Raheem said this will bring the minds of the young ones closer to the school system. He also charged parents to work with the State Government by encouraging positive learning in their children and wards.

It was observed that teachers in all monitored schools were massively on ground but with low turnout of students.

The Honourable Commissioner heaped a reminder of the Government zero tolerance for examination malpractices on the Principals and teachers, emphasizing more on the various sanctions awaiting defiant ones.

Also speaking in Ibadan, the Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran appealed to teachers in public primary schools to commence academic activities immediately.

Dr. Adeniran admonished them to put in their best at complimenting the efforts of the present administration, at attaining qualitative education in Oyo State.

Dr. Adeniran, who noted that a full monitoring team will be deployed to public primary schools on Monday, charged teachers to love their pupils, adding that this will attract students’ interest in the teaching and learning processes.

Notable schools monitored by the Honourable Commissioner, and his team included : Olubadan High School, Ibadan, Adekile Goodwill Grammar School, Aperin, Aperin Boys High School, CAC Grammar School, Aperin Oniyere, and Government Secondary School, Aperin.

Media Team, 

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.

The Oyo State Government has inaugurated Environmental and Social Safeguard teams in the State, with an aim to ensure that out-of-school children captured and re-enrolled in the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme are taught in child-friendly environment without any form of threat.

Speaking at a 2-day orientation training for the newly constituted local environmental and social safeguard teams in Ibadan, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran outlined that, part of the team’s priorities under supervision of the board is to strategize to consolidate on the gains of ongoing Better Education Service Delivery for All, BESDA programme in Oyo State.

Adeniran listed some of the priorities of the team to include promotion of children’s right in the locality; report cases of any form of child abuse in schools; report adults vulnerable to radicalization and enhance compliance to safeguarding procedures and effective use of Grievance Redress Mechanism boxes, among others.

He said the members selected across the 21 BESDA Focus Local Government Areas, will help reduce adverse socio-environmental impact that may arise in the implementation of development projects.

The OYOSUBEB Boss hinted that the State Government hopes to motivate and retain “these innocent children into the formal school system for a functional education”, emphasizing an all-inclusive participation in the educational sector.

Dr. Adeniran charged members of the team to face the challenges ahead with courage, sincerity of purpose, so as to merit and foster the high expectation of the people.

“The idea of Environmental and Social Safeguards was conceived in BESDA as an operational procedures designed to mitigate and minimize adverse environmental and social impact that may arise in the implementation of development projects. Environmental and Social Safeguards also have pro-active dimensions to try to increase chances that development projects deliver better outcomes for people and the environment”, he said.

“Your assignment demands a high sense of responsibility, a large heart, total loyalty your communities, Local Governments, the Board, the State and Nigeria, as a whole”.

Speaking further, Adeniran said, “We see you as leaders in your assigned duties. We therefore expect you to discharge your duties with good sense of judgement, strong will and dedication”.

He therefore reiterated that Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde is committed to ensuring that out-of-school children in the State are reduced to the barest minimum, as they access qualitative education.

e-signed:

OYOSUBEB Media Team

Speaking during the event, the Executive Chairman, OYOSUBEB, Dr. Nureni Adeniran said the success of the event reflects the hard work, humility and interpersonal relationship exhibited by the retiring Director while in service.

Adeniran described the retiring officer as an extrovert, a real professional and a dedicated officer, adding that the Director’s impact would be hardly forgotten in the Board.

He said Mr. Agboluaje was a dedicated, humble, dutiful and responsible financial Administrator, who contributed immensely towards the development of Basic Education in the State, admonishing him not to relent in his service to mankind, even in retirement.

Dr. Adeniran therefore called on civil servants to see retirement from active service as divine grace and be grateful to Almighty God that kept them alive to witness the day of retirement.

Earlier, in his remark, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mr. Olusanjo Adeniyi, expressed delight and congratulated Mr. Agboluaje for successful years of active services without blemish.

He extolled the virtues of Agboluaje especially his contributions and support which were responsible for the success of Better Education Service Delivery for All program in the State.

Responding, Mr. Agboluaje thanked the Board for the unprecedented send-forth ceremony, adding that he enjoyed his stay at the Board as its Director of finance.

He added that the Board gave him the opportunity to contribute his quota to the development of basic education in the State adding that the leadership of the Board was fair to all, irrespective of cadre.

The event was witnessed by the Accountant General of the State, Alh. K. G Bello, who described Agboluaje as a benefactor, who played a huge role in his life while in service.

Others present were the Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Oyo State, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro, OYOSUBEB Full Time Board Member (South), Hon. Akeem Oladeji, former Accountant Generals of Oyo State, the Chief Imam, Oluyole Extension Community Central Mosque, Alh. Mudathir Bada, among others.

Media Team, 

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.

The Oyo State Government has distributed COVID-19 first aid kits to some Non-Formal Learning Centres, under the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme, saying this is part of its efforts at ensuring rapid response to emergency situations at its learning centres.

Distributing the customised kits to the beneficiaries in Ibadan, today, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, explained that the Board will not rest on its oars towards ensuring that centres are given required support within BESDA provisions.

He added that the gesture was to guarantee necessary first aid treatment when required and prevent avoidable death, while the BESDA programme goes on in the State.

The OYOSUBEB helmsman said the Board is concerned about promotion of safety and hygienic practice in non-formal learning centres, adding that this will make learners secure and enhance their capacity on compliance to covid-19 protocols.

Dr. Adeniran stressed that the first aid kits would ease the treatment of injuries and sudden illness before the arrival of professional medical care, admonishing the centres to utilise the kits while they comply with covid-19 protocols.

“In view of the nature of the non-formal learning settings, we deem it very significant to equip these centres with first aid kits and covid-19 safety materials because of the children”, he said.

According to him, the kits, which would be supplied in phases to the learning centres, could be used to take care of small wounds, sprain, minor burns and fractures.

Reiterating the commitment of the Seyi Makinde-led administration to the general well-being of learners in the State, the Executive Chairman said two hundred and fifty centres will benefit in the first phase, saying the other centres will be reached out to in the second phase.

He stressed that Oyo State Government is fully committed to the struggle of returning all out-of-school children back to school, saying they must access free basic and qualitative education.

Also speaking at the event, the BESDA Consultant, Prof. Dupe Adelabu described the provision of the kits as a display of the State Government’s passion for the provision of optimum health care delivery in the State.

She urged beneficiaries to judiciously utilise the kits provided, stressing that the kits were safe and easy to use as they contained only non- prescribed drugs that could be purchased over the counter.

The Co-ordinator, Arabic Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Alh. Monsuru Abdulsalam who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the State Government for its efforts at making life more meaningful for the people.

E-signed:

OYOSUBEB Media Team.