From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
A bill for the establishment of the Office of the Principal-General has been passed into law by the Ogun State House of Assembly.
The bill, which was sponsored by the Minority Leader of the House, Lukman Adeleye, has also been forwarded to Governor Dapo Abiodun for his assent.
Presenting the Principal-General Establishment Law 2024 before the House during a plenary, the Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Yusuf Amosun, explained that the bill will formally institutionalize the appointment of Principals-General in the state, along with their clearly defined functions and responsibilities.
The lawmaker acknowledged the significant move by the House Minority Leader to enhance the state’s education system by introducing the bill to legally establish the office of Principal-General in Ogun State.
He, thereby, moved for the adoption of the bill, which was seconded by Olakunle Sobukanla and supported by all lawmakers through a unanimous voice vote.
The bill, identified as H.B. No. 016/OG/2024, seeks to create a legal framework for the appointment of four Principals-General across the state.
The initiator of the bill, Adeleye explained that “the bill aims to support the existing executive order that established the office of Principals-General. A legal foundation is crucial for improving the quality of teaching and learning in secondary schools throughout the state”.
Lawmakers, including HYusuf Amosun, Hon. Babatunde Tella, Adebisi Oyedele and Oluseun Adesanya, however, commended Adeleye for his efforts, noting the bill has potential to improve the administration of education and reduce bureaucratic obstacles.
Following the presentation, the Speaker of the House, Oludaisi Elemide, directed that the clean copy of the bill be forwarded to Governor Dapo Abiodun for his assent.
Meanwhile, Adeleye, who is representing Odogbolu State Constituency in the House, has praised Governor Dapo Abiodun for approving the construction of a 3km Federal Government College Road in Odogbolu, after several pleas from him on the floor of the House.
He also appealed to the Governor not to forget the Odogbolu local government in other areas of development.
The lawmaker further appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Abiodun, and Senator Gbenga Daniel for their collaborative efforts in ensuring the Federal Government’s takeover of the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), which he noted would lead to improved infrastructure, scope, and funding to better position the first university of education in Nigeria.