Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said his administration will not stop the payment of bursaries and scholarship awards to indigent students in the state.
He also assured that his government will continue to have constant engagements with the students’ union bodies across the state in order to ensure stability in the esucation sector.
Makinde said these while speaking at the 2022 International Students’ Day programme with the theme “Change makers” which held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), University of Ibadan.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, said his administration’s bursary and scholarship and awards were designed to encourage indigent students in the pursuit of academic excellence.
He expressed optimism that the present administration will not rest on its oars in ensuring that Oyo State students get their share of the dividends of democracy as and when due.
Makinde added that every tertiary institution in the state,m has benefited in one way or the other from the programmes and policies of his administration.
He also assured that his administration will continue to prioritise education as the foundation upon which sustainable development will be built.
The governor described students as a critical part of the state’s population which cannot be ignored by any serious government that is committed to human development.
He told the students that, before the end of the year, buses will be given to all students’ union bodies and indigenous associations in the tertiary institutions across the state.
He stated that his administration is always ready to engage the students and other relevant stakeholders.
Makinde reeled out his administration’s achievements in tertiary institutions in the state to include sole ownership of LAUTECH and 15 per cent reduction in tuition fee of the institution and accreditation of over 30 courses at The Polytechnic Ibadan, by NBTE, among others.
The governor equally charged the students to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) and vote for candidates that will defend their welfare.
Earlier, in their various remarks, the Special Assistant to Governor Makinde on Students’ Affairs, Victor Olojede, and the chairman, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Oyo State chapter, Adeleke Abdu-Quadri, appreciated Makinde for being a student-friendly governor.
They declared that the students in the state would pay back his magnanimity by voting massively for him in the coming general election.
