The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said that his administration will not relent in pursuing the restoration of the foundational values and principles of education in the State, describing his commitment to students’ development as sacrosanct.
The Governor reiterated this on Monday during a meeting with out-going executives of the Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union (FESSU) in his office in Ado Ekiti.
The students leaders who passed a vote of confidence in the Governor and his programmes, also honoured him with the title of “Students Governor”
Dr Fayemi promised to continue providing the needed supports to the umbrella body of Ekiti Students within available resources in the State.
He told the students body that education in Ekiti is “not a privilege but a right”, adding that the state is a renowned State of knowledgeable people, who were passionate about knowledge generation, knowledge production and knowledge dissemination.
Assuring the students’ body of the reintroduction of students’ friendly projects and programmes initiated during his first term in office, Fayemi said, the administration’s free education (in primary and secondary schools ) bursary, scholarships and other supports (for students of tertiary institutions) were the anchors that hold the restoration of the core values of a sound educational system.
He said: “For us as a State, Education is not a privilege it is a right, being Ekiti, this is one of the things we are known for everywhere in the world as a state of knowledgeable people, the state of people who are passionate about knowledge generation, knowledge production and knowledge dissemination and as students leaders you have a duty to continue to be in the front in these areas.
“I am glad you (the outgoing FESSU President) talked about your experience while you were in secondary school during our first term in office, at the time you were enjoying that, there are some of your leaders who are here that benefitted from our programmes during my first term, who were active on the FESSU side and able to fight on behalf of our students from various tertiary institutions.
“you can be rest assured that we will continue to do that which is to the benefits and development of our people. I have noted your comments about mobility, I have noted your comment about bursary, scholarships, I have noted your comment generally and the need to have an all-round education the way we did while you were in secondary school which we are trying to bring back to our schools.
“That is simply what the real restoration value is all about, we want to go back to our foundational principles as Ekiti people who value knowledge and are very hardworking, very committed and compassionate about helping their fellow people.”
Fayemi disclosed that the revitalization of Technical and Vocational colleges in the state was a sterling demonstration of his administration’s focus on life skills programmes, with a call on the students’ union body to support and encourage the younger ones to view technical education as a way to self-independence and prosperity.
Earlier, the outgoing FESSU president, Mr Babajide Akomolafe, said the Vote of Confidence passed on the Governor was in realization of his outstanding contributions and implementation of Students friendly programmes towards the development of education in the State.
The FESSU President, noted that the union acknowledged the effort of government in getting full accreditation for EKSU College of Medicine with immediate employment of the pioneer alumni of the college; the provision of bursary and scholarships for students in higher institutions and those in the Law school; provision of free Jamb forms; the mandatory and compulsory education for all school child and the resuscitation of technical colleges in the State.
Mr Akomolafe, who is a student of Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), recalled that he was in secondary school during Fayemi’s first term and enjoyed free computer system, free WAEC form and participated in some students healthy competitions aimed at boosting students’ intellect.
