OYOSUBEB Helmsman, Adeniran Mourns Former Boss, Alao-Akala

The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran has mourned the death of his former boss, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala.

Alao-Akala, who died in Ogbomosho was 71 years old, and was a former Governor of Oyo State between 2007 and 2011.

The OYOSUBEB helmsman recalls with nostalgia how his relationship with former Governor Alao-Akala started, during their heydays as Chairmen of Local Governments in the State.

“Chief Alao-Akala was a good brother, friend and leader to me. We both started as Local Government chairmen. He served as Chairman, Ogbomosho North, while I served as the Chairman, Ibadan South-West”.

Dr. Adeniran noted that thereafter, Chief Alao-Akala, who served as a Governor in the State, was a good leader to him, when he served under his PDP led Government.

Dr. Adeniran, said he served as a Board member at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital; Commissioner for Industry and later a Commissioner for Education under former Governor Alao-Akala.

The OYOSUBEB Boss added that the late Adebayo Alao-Akala was an uncommon patriot who contributed immensely to the development of politics in Oyo State.

“He was a leader and an uncommon patriot who understood the political terrain in Oyo State. His knowledge of Oyo politics was profound and remarkable”.

Adeniran said, “Former Governor Alao-Akala’s death is indeed a personal loss to me”.

Media Team,

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board

Oyo State Government has declared that all public schools in the State are to resume for the second term 2021/2022 academic session on Monday, January 10, 2022.

The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran made the announcement during a New-Year Prayer session with staff members of the Board on Tuesday.

He said the resumption date is approved by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, adding that the Board, in its usual practice, would monitor compliance across the State.

Adeniran therefore urged Parents to prepare all learners for resumption, adding that they are all expected back in school as academic activities start the same day.

While wishing students and teachers a happy resumption, Dr. Adeniran appealed to Head-teachers and all stakeholders to ensure strict compliance with all COVID-19 safety protocols put in place by the state.

Meanwhile, the OYOSUBEB Chairman has vowed that the welfare of staff members of the Board will remain top priority of the management of the Board this year.

Dr. Adeniran noted the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration believes workers deserve their pay on regular basis, adding that this has informed the Board’s decision to approve disbursement of loan forms to staff members of the Board.

According to him, the loan will be disbursed to beneficiaries, depending on their grade level.

Media Team, 

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.

The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, has been honored as the Outstanding Oyo Agency of the Year 2021 by Silverstones Communication, organizers of the Miss Oyo Beauty pageant.

According to the organizers, the award was in recognition of the agency’s “immense contribution to the Education sector infrastructure in Oyo State” for the year 2021.

The Award was presented to the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran today in Ibadan.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Board, Dr. Adeniran thanked the organizers for honoring excellence, hard-work, diligence, loyalty, commitment and dedication to duty.

He vowed that the Board will not stop exhibiting the good intentions of the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration by executing various projects, training and retraining of teachers every year.

Dr. Adeniran said the board would always up the scale in the basic education sub-sector, by beefing up the sector’s status, adding that the board will not hesitate to instill basic moral values in children.

He thanked his principal, Governor Seyi Makinde, who he said gave the Board the enabling environment to operate and add value to lives of children across the State.

e-signed:

Media Team, 

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.

The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, has said that contrary to the alleged propaganda by some groups, no teacher in Oyo State was being owed the year 2020 leave bonus.

Dr. Adeniran stated this today in Ibadan, warning primary school teachers against plans on embarking on any illegal procession or protest within the state.

He said “some political emissaries are going about, telling people that the Government is owing them 2020 annual leave arrears and that the Government is not taking it seriously. But this is not true. It is incorrect”.

“No primary school teacher is owed monthly salary, or leave bonus today. The Government has paid their dues”.

Dr. Nureni Adeniran, admonished the unscrupulous group of teachers, aligning themselves with disgruntled politicians, to rather show gratitude to Governor Seyi Makinde who has consistently paid their salaries on 25th of every month, despite the economic instability in the nation.

He added that a Government who abolished the six years waiting period of teachers within Grade Level 13 and above; consistently paid their 13th month salaries; and ensured payment of arrears owed by previous administration deserves better treatment by its workforce in the education sector.

Dr. Adeniran added that Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration also ensured that the waiting period of teachers from GL 13 and above has been reviewed to three years, rather than the six years enacted by previous administrations.

The Board Chairman therefore wondered why some teachers will yield themselves as political agents, not minding its consequences in public service.

Adeniran further enjoined teachers who may be having issues with their accounts to visit the Finance department of the Board or their various banks, rather than working against the directives of the Government.

Dr. Adeniran therefore urged them not to engage in any act that violates the law or threatens the peace of the State, adding that they should follow the right channel in laying any form of complaints.

The Executive Chairman challenged teachers in the State to improve their service delivery, advising them not to yield themselves as tools in the hands of politicians, in discrediting the unrelenting efforts of the present Government.

Dr. Adeniran noted that those intending to protest were rented protesters by enemies of the Government to misinform the public, who would be dealt with within the full extent of the law, when caught.

He further admonished the leadership of  Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, to call its members to order, adding that the State Government would appreciate the Union’s collaborative efforts to fish out perpetrators of such demeaning acts.

e-signed: 

Media Team, 

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.

The Executive Chairman of Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran has congratulated the newly elected party Chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party in the State, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro, on his overwhelming victory at the State Congress.

In a statement signed by the Chairman today, he said the success was a sign of the confidence PDP stalwarts reposed in the Seyi Makinde administration and the new chairman.

According to him, “Your victory at our party’s State congress, indicates clearly the confidence that the entire party delegates repose in the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration as demonstrated in the implementation of the party’s policies”.

“I therefore join thousands of party members home and in the diaspora to celebrate this deserved victory even as you take our party to its deserved victory in the 2023 polls”, he said.

He also described the victory of Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro as a good omen for the Board, adding that the new party Chairman was a Board member at the Oyo SUBEB before his election.

“Your superb leadership style as the Caretaker Chairman of our Party’s Southwest Committee has laid down a good precedent and has made it easy for your victory”, he added.

The SUBEB chairman hinted that with his success at the party congress, the party will be renewed, re-energised, refreshed and reinvigorated to continue at a better pace for the 2023 victory.

The SUBEB Boss also congratulated other elected Executives of the party, urging them to work in synergy with the Chairman and other party executives at the Local Government, ward and unit levels.

Media Team,

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.

The Oyo State Government, on Thursday, has said it will not hesitate to revoke unexecuted contracts on renovation and construction projects, under its 2012-2018 UBEC/SUBEB Intervention Project from defaulting contractors in the State.

The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board said this is in line with directives from the Universal Basic Education Commission, Abuja.

Speaking with the twenty-two contractors in Ibadan, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran explained that the contracts would be terminated following a breach of contract terms.

He noted that many of the contracts, including those awarded by the previous administration had been dragging since 2018, adding that this is in contravention of the time frame of the contractual agreement which stipulated two (2) weeks for completion of borehole and maximum of 24 weeks for completion of Model schools.

Dr. Adeniran said the board would not hesitate to apply appropriate sanctions against these defaulting contractors, who have failed to meet project specifications in the execution of UBEC/SUBEB jobs in the State.

He added that the contractors may answer queries from the Anti-graft body, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, after the November, 2021 deadline, adding that they also risk being blacklisted by UBEC for further contracts of UBEC/SUBEB nationwide.

“The message here is clear, the job has taken too long, your failure to deliver on the agreed dates is affecting the wellbeing of our children, we will reverse the contract”, he said.

“We have issued several warnings, this is about the third time. We need to revoke the contract and give those that will do the job. The guideline is clear and we are not going to compromise,” he warned.

The SUBEB boss, who was at the meeting in company of Management staff of the Board, queried the rationale behind the contractors’ refusal to deliver results, despite the mobilization fee Government had given them.

Adeniran noted that, as part of concerted efforts to enforce standards, as well as ensure that there are only appropriate execution of projects, the Board in 2019 did not revoke their contracts, despite the fact that they were issued by the former administration.

Media Team, 

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.

Iwe-Kika is a fun and interactive teaching tool that uses phonics literacy teaching methodology in Yoruba language. The book is recommended by the Universal Basic Education Commission for BESDA States.

Speaking at the end of a 3-day meeting on content development and adoption of iwe kika in Ibadan today, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran said the literary book is recommended to teach out of school children, because of the way that it quickly provides children with the skills needed to read and write in Yoruba language.

He noted that the Oyo State Government in collaboration with UBEC and World Bank has purchased and distributed 31, 302 Dandan l’eko and Jolly phonics textbooks to One thousand two hundred schools in the twenty-one (21) BESDA Local Government Universal Basic Education Areas.

Adeniran added that the State Government and UBEC allocated One Hundred and Thirty Five Million, Two hundred and Sixty-One thousand, four hundred and Fifty Naira (N135, 261, 450.00) on Dadan leko books in schools, while Nine Million, Two Hundred and Seventy-Three Thousand, Three Hundred and Nineteen Naira (N9, 273, 319) was allocated for Jolly phonics.

The SUBEB boss reiterated Oyo State Government’s commitment to the BESDA course of ridding the streets of out-of-school children and ensuring they are retained in classrooms.

Speaking earlier, a co-author of Iwe-Kika, Prof. Omobola Adelore said the books are designed to be kept in the hearts and minds of children.

She said the books would improve the literacy level of the children, as it has been designed to ease the learning process of the children.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Mr. Olusanjo Adeniyi opined that the adoption and use of Iwe-Kika would improve the reading and writing skills of children within the basic education age.

He thanked the Universal Basic Education Commission and Oyo State Government for their timely intervention in salvaging the deficiency revealed through the constant monitoring by the SUBEB team.

Iwe Kika was written by the Department of Adult Education, University of Ibadan. Professor Duro Adeleke of the Department of Yoruba; Prof. Omobola Adelore, of the Department of Adult Education and others co-authored it.

Media Team, 

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.

The Oyo State Government has resolved all teething challenges impeding the smooth implementation of Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) in the pacesetter State, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran said on Friday.

Adeniran dropped the hint during a meeting with the BESDA Implementation Committee in Ibadan.

Adeniran affirmed that the State is set to commence BESDA fully, as all hurdles militating against the full implementation have been cleared by the State Government.

He said the Oyo State Government’s determined efforts to ensure reduction in the rate of out-of-school children in the State brought the dream to fruition.

Dr. Adeniran explained that the project, which is an initiative of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), is aimed at complementing the immense efforts of Governor Seyi Makinde led administration in the State to address the menace of out-of-school children.

Adeniran commended the present administration in the State for investing more than 21% of the State’s annual budget in the State’s education sector, adding that this has ensured effective teaching and learning in schools, particularly at the foundation level which is key to societal development.

While the SUBEB boss pledged, on behalf of the BESDA Implementation Committee, to comply with the Action plan of the project, as stipulated by UBEC, he also acknowledged the huge support received from the Commission in ensuring the release of the sum needed for the programme.

He therefore urged members of the implementation team to commit themselves to the programme, adding that there are no excuses for any member of the committee not to be committed to the UBEC/World Bank Assisted project.

Speaking at the meeting, the BESDA Consultant in Oyo State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu assured that she would deploy her wealth of experience in the implementation of the programme in Oyo State.

In their separate remarks, the Special Adviser on Intervention Funds and State Portfolio Coordinator, World Bank Projects, Mrs. Aderonke Adedayo and the Senior Special Assistant on BESDA, Mr. Sunday Adeyanju pledged their support to the full implementation of the programme.

They pledged their commitment to reduce the rate of out-of-school children in the State, just as they declared that improving the standard of education is part of the priorities of the present administration.

Media Team, 

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OyoSUBEB) in conjunction with Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Abuja, has organised a 5-Day Second Level Training for One Hundred (100) Quality Assurance Officers.

The training which started on September 6th in Ibadan, had participants drawn from the all Local Government Universal Basic Education Authorities in the State.

The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, noted that capacity-building is essential to develop competence and skills that will make the Board more effective. He therefore asserted that the training was geared towards improving learning in line with international best practices.

Represented by the South-West Zonal Director, UBEC, Alhaji Alabi Asaju, Bobboyi added that the commission, in conjunction with the State Universal Basic Education Board, was setting standards that would be sustained in years to come.

He further commended the Management Board of Oyo State Universal Basic Education for its commitment to effectiveness and efficiency in the basic education sub-sector of Oyo State.

In his speech, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran said that the State’s quality assurance had been in practice, but that the training was needed to further expose them to various techniques.

He explained that the theme of the training, “Effective School Evaluation: Panacea for improving learning outcomes and strengthening of the school system” would further expose the trainees to ways of improving learning outcomes, results and performances in the educational system.

Dr. Nureni Adeniran added that Engr. Seyi Makinde led administration has revamped and restructured the Education sector of the State through various means, including earmarking 21% in the State’s annual budget to the education sector.

“As part of the concerted effort of the Executive Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde to revamp and restructure the Education sector, he has graciously earmarked 21% in the Oyo State budget for the Education sector, a gesture that has never occurred in the State even in the past administrations out of which counterpart funds are always released to the Board for construction of classrooms, erection of perimeter fences, provision of furniture and purchase of instructional materials”, he said.

While Adeniran acknowledged the immense support received from UBEC in delivering 33 Motorcycles, 30 laptops and printers for Quality Assurance Officers, he expressed optimism that after the 5-day training, officers would be acquainted with the requisite skills for effective performance.

In their separate remarks, the Executive Secretary, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Mr. Olusanjo Adeniyi and the Director, Quality Assurance, UBEC, Mansir Idris, said the training sought to develop new strategies to improve the quality of learning in basic schools across Oyo State. They added that the training was in response to the need to strengthen the capacity of the officers, especially at the Local Government levels.

Media Team,

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.

The Oyo State Government has refuted claims that it has not accessed N715Million counterpart funds for Universal Basic Education Commission/SUBEB Year 2020 Intervention Projects. 

Reacting in Ibadan to allegations that the State Government has failed to pay its counterpart fund to access the projects, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran affirmed that the State has in fact paid counterpart funds for 2020 and 2021 to UBEC.

He said the responsive administration of Governor Seyi Makinde has been faithful to the release of funds for the Basic Education sub-sector, in order to attend to the growing number of children in the State’s Primary schools.

Dr. Adeniran maintained that the Federal agency essentially is in receipt of the counterpart grant paid by the State Government for Years 2020 and 2021.

“We equally have evidence of the payment and lodgement of the money”, he added.

“Oyo State does not belong to the categories of States that failed to pay counterpart funds to access UBEC matching grants as being erroneously peddled in the above news item”, he said.

Dr. Adeniran, while stressing that the Federal Government agency has done due diligence, after receipt of the counterpart funds and Action Plans for the projects, also maintained that UBEC has sent its team of experts to carry out verification exercise on all the proposed construction/renovation as well as the school furniture and boreholes to be sunk.

“They have completed the exercise and submitted their report. There is no doubt that the matching grants will be released to the State any moment from now because UBEC is at the final stage of the exercise”, he said.

According to the statement, “UBEC grants are recurring annual Federal educational grants to State Governments accessed after payment of specified matching counterpart funds. Despite the huge amounts normally required as a counterpart fund, the Oyo State Government under Governor Seyi Makinde has not failed in releasing its part of the funds”.

He advised journalists and online bloggers to clarify stories from the right quarters and not mislead the public, saying the State Government’s claims can be confirmed from UBEC office, Abuja.

E-signed:

Media Team, 

Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.