Ekiti: Oyebanji targets zero per cent out-of-school children

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has restated the commitment of his administration to ensuring that every child in the state has access to quality and compulsory education.

Oyebanji made this known on Wednesday at the 28th convocation ceremony of the Ekiti State University, EKSU, Ado Ekiti.

At the event, the newly inducted Chancellor of the University, Dr Tunji Olowolafe, announced a N1 billion agribusiness empowerment fund for products of the institution as a way to boost agriculture and food security.

Oyebanji, who attended the EKSU convocation as the first alumnus of the school to become governor of the state and Visitor to the University, said his government remains committed to ensuring that educational institutions in the state are capable of competing with their peers globally.

The governor said his administration has demonstrated commitment to development of education sector from primary to tertiary institutions which include renovation of more than 200 secondary schools, distribution of laptops to students across the state and disbursement bursary and scholarship to students of Ekiti origin in tertiary institutions.

Recalling that Ekiti was recently ranked as the highest in school enrollment in the country, the governor assured that his government would ensure the state has zero per cent out-of-school children.

Oyebanji also urged the university management to justify the increase in their subvention by showing greater commitment to work, avoid incessant strike actions, and allow for smooth running of the academic calendar so that students were not unduly delayed.

While congratulating the graduands, Oyebanji charged them to always remember to give back to their alma mater.