Oyebanji pledges sustained investment to strengthen education sector

Secretary to the Ekiti State Government, Prof Habibat Adubiaro at the combined convocation ceremony of Ekiti State College of Technology, Ijero-Ekiti, on Saturday.

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has said that his administration remains committed to strengthening the state’s education sector through sustained investment in infrastructure, human capital development and institutional capacity.

Oyebanji called on stakeholders, philanthropists and other well-meaning individuals in the state to complement government efforts by contributing to the further development of the education sector.

The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Habibat Adubiaro, spoke on Saturday during the combined convocation ceremony of Ekiti State College of Technology, Ijero-Ekiti.

A total of 5,742 graduands were officially conferred with National Diploma and Higher National Diploma on the occasion.

The governor pledged continued government support for EKSCOTECH and other state-owned tertiary institutions in his second term to enable them function effectively and deliver quality education.

Oyebanji, while congratulating the graduates, charged the school management “to sustain the momentum and ensure that the opportunities created by the institution’s new Polytechnic status translate into better training and improved prospects for students and graduates.

“Our administration remains committed to strengthening the state’s education sector through sustained investment in infrastructure, human capital development and institutional capacity.

“The transformation of EKSCOTECH from its previous status into a full-fledged polytechnic represents an important step towards expanding access to technical and vocational education in the state.

“Let me commend the Governing Council and management of this institution for their efforts in repositioning the polytechnic and creating an environment capable of supporting academic and professional development.”

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Recall that the school which transitioned to a full polytechnic status recently and had its academic programmes expanded, has also secured accreditation for additional programmes from the National Board for Technical Education.

In his address, the Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr Femi Thomas, described the institution’s recent transformation as the product of a deliberate effort to restore stability, strengthen its foundation and complete its long-awaited transition to a polytechnic status.

Thomas recalled that before the constitution of the present council, the governor had expressed concern over the challenges confronting the institution and charged the council to restore order, and reposition it for growth.

He said, “The council subsequently worked towards completing the institution’s transmutation, which culminated in recognition as a full-fledged polytechnic and accreditation by the NBTE.

“The development has opened new opportunities for the institution, including access to TETFund support, JAMB recognition and NYSC participation for eligible programmes and graduates.”

Thomas, however, identified increased government subvention as one of the immediate needs of the polytechnic, alongside additional lecturers, infrastructure and other facilities required to sustain the expansion.

He listed the development of the permanent South Campus, construction of academic blocks, including facilities for the School of Engineering, library and laboratories, among others, as part of the institution’s priorities.

In his address, EKSCOTECH Rector, Dr Olufemi Olubamise, said the combined convocation was significant because it brought together graduands from academic sessions whose convocation ceremonies had not been held.

He assured that the convocation ceremony would henceforth be held yearly, as the usual practice in institutions of higher learning.