By Reporters
Akure: Stakeholders in Ondo, Osun and Ekiti States have commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its ongoing reforms in the security and education sectors aimed at fostering national development.
They were of the view that Tinubu had laid a solid foundation in the education sector to permanently end incessant strikes in tertiary institutions across the country, with the determination to place the sector on a solid foundation.
Prof. Adebayo Obadiora of the Department of Arts and Social Science Education, Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun, said the present administration had introduced several reforms and interventions aimed at boosting the education sector since assuming office in May 2023.
Obadiora, who spoke with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the major initiative was the establishment of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to provide financial support for students in tertiary institutions.
He also lauded the administration for given the the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) greater opportunity to expand investments in tertiary education.
He noted that the administration had equally implemented the Dual Mandate Policy in Federal Colleges of Education, allowing eligible institutions to award both the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and bachelor’s degrees in education.
Speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Protocol, Issah Niniola, told NAN in Osogbo that incessant strikes would be a thing of the past due to the President’s efforts and reform in the education sector.
According to her, the President has laid the foundation to stop strikes forever and also ensure that students receive quality education through NELFUND.
“He is also providing necessary allowances for lecturers in tertiary institutions across the country.
“This is one of the reasons Nigerians should support the President’s bid for a second term. He will do more in education and other sectors,” he said.
Contributing, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) branch, Prof. Boluwaji Oshodi, rated Tinubu’s administration high in tertiary education policy agreements.
He noted that while the Federal Government achieved a significant milestone by signing an agreement with university unions after a 16-year impasse, the actual execution of the pact had fallen short of expectations.
On the relative industrial peace across public universities, Oshodi stated that the current stability stemmed from unions patience rather than structural solutions by the government.
Meanwhile, a former Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ondo State, Femi Joseph, has scored Tinubu’s administration 60 per cent in the fight against insecurity in the country.
Joseph, who urged the President not to relent in his efforts in fighting the insurgency, said the welfare of security agencies, particularly officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, must be given top priority.
“Federal Government needs to provide modern gadgets and sophisticated equipment for security agencies to effectively combat kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes bedevilling the country.
“It is obvious that insecurity cannot be tackled with obsolete rifles and analogue communication.
“There is need for the provision of drones, tracking devices, night vision goggles, armoured personnel carriers and other intelligence-driven technologies to give security operatives an edge over criminals,” he told NAN.
Also, The Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Olatunji Oshati, applauded the President for his policies and programmes since assuming office in 2023.
Oshati explained that the administration viewed the fuel subsidy as a scam, hence the need for its removal, noting that the gains of the bold steps of the administration were visible across the country.
“If you don’t put political divides into it, after the removal of the subsidy, there has been no queue in our filling stations. The supply of petrol has been consistent despite its high cost.
“Apart from that, there has been solid infrastructural development. This has also helped most governors to have funds to carry out projects in their respective states.
“There are dividends in all the states, that is effects of governance. Hardly can you see any state with backlog of gratuities. Any achievement in any state should be credited to President Bola Tinubu, because if you have enough, you can do anything,” he said.
He, however, urged the administration to address the soaring food prices, and put in place policies and reforms that would put food on the table of the masses.
Oshati urged the administration to ensure the full implementation of local government autonomy so that there would be enough funds for infrastructure and programmes at the grassroots.
In the same vein, Mr Omoniyi Adesokan, a former Chairman, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Okitipupa Local Government, commended Tinubu over his economic reform.
He said that Tinubu took a bold step over economic reforms, saying that Nigeria now generated more revenue, which had increased the allocations to states and local governments.
He also commended Tinubu on various infrastructural developments, saying that the results of the reforms have started yielding fruits.
“Look at the massive Lagos-Calabar coastal highway that Tinubu is building, that infrastructure alone will open up Nigeria’s economy very soon.
“Although, the reforms are taking a toll on every Nigeria’s including myself, but I believe that the reforms will yield positive results if we can endure,” Adesokan said.
In Ekiti, a retired school principal, Mr Emmanuel Ojo, told NAN that Tinubu’s achievement in the education sector was more visible in the student loan scheme, saying the establishment of NELFUND provided financial support to hundreds of students who would have struggled to afford tertiary education.
He commended the administration for introducing policies to strengthen teacher’s training, including digital-skills development as part of its education reform programme.
Ojo said the administration should also be applauded for promoting programmes aimed at identifying and bringing out-of- school children back into the education sector.
He said the government focus on boosting technical and vocational education, while the aim of providing practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship should be commended and appreciated.
The retired school principal, however, urged the administration to act on the nation’s education curriculum toward addressing some grey areas to conform with international standards.
On his part, the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Adewole Ademolaju, said the present administration has given Nigerians the reason to celebrate with reforms in economic, education, health, social interventions and infrastructure sectors.
The traditional ruler said the administration had demonstrated commitment to improving critical sectors that directly affected the wellbeing and economic opportunities of Nigerians.
According to him, investments in healthcare infrastructure and primary healthcare delivery will help improve access to medical services, particularly people in rural communities.
“Health is fundamental to the development of any nation, and efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery will have a direct impact on the lives of our people.
“We must also ensure that these interventions reach rural communities where many people still face challenges accessing quality healthcare,” he said.
Ademolaju also commended the administration’s efforts in road construction and rehabilitation, saying improved road networks would facilitate the movement of people and agricultural produce.
He said good roads remained critical to economic development because they connected farmers with markets and reduced the difficulties associated with transportation.
“Road infrastructure is very important to our economy. When roads are good, farmers can move their produce to the markets more easily and businesses can also operate more efficiently,” he said. (NAN)
Reporters/AYO/IKU
Edited by Ayodeji Alabi/Tayo Ikujuni
Source: News Agency of Nigeria