Makinde: 80,000 out-of-school children have returned to classrooms in Oyo

By Oluseye Ojo

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said that at least 80,000 school-age children who were out of school before the mantle of leadership of the state fell on him in 2019 have been re-enrolled in primary and secondary schools in the state.

He made the disclosure during the public presentation of the book ‘Defying Expectations: My Story of Perseverance From Conductor to Journalist’, authored by Oyo State Correspondent for Daily Post Newspaper, Mr Musliudeen Adebayo, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku Quarters, Ibadan. The book launch coincided with the 40th birthday of the author.

Makinde, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, stated that on his assumption of office, he abolished the payment of the ₦3,000 education levy imposed on each pupil by the previous government. The abolition of the levy. He said it made pupils who had dropped out of school return to classrooms.

The governor, who was the chairman of the occasion, also stated that one of his priorities is to ensure that no child of school age is denied access to quality education in the state.

“The governor is determined to ensure that no child in Oyo State is denied access to quality education. That is why the government is creating opportunities for people to thrive. The governor will support Musliudeen and other people in his category. The governor is taking Oyo State from poverty to prosperity,” Olanrewaju said.

The Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria and Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Alhaji Oyekunle Oyetunji, said the author’s life reflected the story of many Nigerians, who rose to greatness from humble beginnings.

Chief Executive Officer of Eternal Home Cemetery, Dr Adebukola Kadiri, encouraged underprivileged children never to give up on their dreams but to embrace the values of hard work, perseverance, and determination.

The guest lecturer, Dr Bayo Busari, who spoke on the topic ‘Redirecting Youthful Energy towards Positive Self and National Development’, noted that “Education increases opportunities for social and economic participation, helping young people to overcome poverty and lead fulfilling lives.”

The book reviewer, Prof Rahman Akinoso, described the book, which has 166 pages and 13 chapters, as a ‘work of art.

National President of Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASoW), Alhaji Mashood Mustapha, the NUJ Chairman, Oyo State Council, Alhaji Ademola Babalola, commended the celebrant for taking cognate steps to defy all odds and embrace formal education after being a bus conductor.

The author, in his address, expressed gratitude to God for transforming his life journey from that of a bus conductor at CMS Park 4 Marina, Lagos, between August 2004 and February 2009, to a journalist with a Master’s Degree, and for sparing his life to attain 40 years. He appealed to the Oyo State Government and the Federal Government to recommend this book to all secondary school students for them to learn the art of perseverance, resilience and consistency.

Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, represented by Femi Awogboro, and Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Olugbemiga Ayoade, were among dignitaries who graced the event.