By Debo Akinbami
When Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa mentioned sure to the puffy calls for of the college lecturers, the soothing information affected the assorted layers of pursuits. That was after the unionists’ circle of brickbats proved ineffectual. And, when the mud settled, the lecturers depicted the Governor in another way. They mentioned his actions exemplify profound dedication to the welfare of staff and convey a transparent message that his administration is worker-friendly.
Teachers aren’t flippant utterers, ordinarily. To this extent, their phrases, I imagine, profited from the first-hand agreeable perspective they’ve seen the Governor show repeatedly. Earlier than the college lecturer wrote the letters, the “worker-friendly” sobriquet was deployed to explain Aiyedatiwa by the civil servants, to the close to extent of a cliché. The lecturers’ nevertheless arrived as a frontal affirmation of the tall score of Aiyedatiwa.
Whereas it raged, I had, in non-public conversations, instructed a number of colleagues who have been but to be bitten by the bug of fallacious notion that the Governor was not an inch unwilling to approve of the calls for; that the Governor cares for staff versus what the naysayers say. Aiyedatiwa cares about all lessons of residents. He deeply does. However, for too lengthy, the fallacious impression was distributed about him by individuals who’re both befuddled by his model or battle non-public guilt.
The reality, nevertheless, is that there’s hardly any reputable entreaty from any of the state’s tertiary establishments that Governor Aiyedatiwa has refused. Aside from paying the backlog of salaries inherited on the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, there is no such thing as a state-owned larger establishment in Ondo, as of at present, whose month-to-month subvention has not been elevated, for, at least, twice, beneath the Aiyedatiwa-led regime.
Even now, the Governor has accredited the rapid implementation of the FGN Settlement with unions on new wage construction within the state’s tertiary establishments. The supply arrived with a considerable enhance within the subvention to the tertiary establishments to implement the brand new wage construction. These uncommon acts of compassion can solely come out of a pacesetter who really prioritises the well-being of the workforce.
For many who should know, Governor Aiyedatiwa makes no rhetoric. Here’s a chief who could be very intentional with investments within the education sector. He fastidiously handles issues that pertain to this sphere, which is why his acts have since conveyed sturdy impressions herein. Right here, he makes deliberate insurance policies and interventions. When final checked, his 2026 price range gives super-sized funds for education, from which not less than 500 primary faculties can be constructed and rehabilitated throughout the state.
In uncommon methods, that is meant to be completely different. It’s a singular strategy to make studying environments purposeful, conducive and safe for the younger ones. To additional place pupils for efficient studying, Governor Aiyedatiwa has commenced a digital literacy programme for the faculties; and to equip the scholars with the requisite digital abilities to navigate an more and more technology-driven world, college students in 50 public faculties have acquired digital tablets.
Whereas he equips the learners, the Governor conjures up the lecturers with tangible motivations. The opposite day, Aiyedatiwa known as out excellent college students and lecturers for laurels. He gave enviable jobs to NYSC award recipients. To fifty-four Ondo State college students who scored above 300 within the 2026 UTME, the Governor gave ₦ 1 million every; he additionally honoured, with substantial money, college students who represented Ondo State and Nigeria in tutorial competitions.
To ease sundry monetary pressures on households and college students within the larger establishments of studying, Governor Aiyedatiwa accredited the sum of ₦400 million for 13, 360 college students of Ondo State origin as bursary and monetary fillip. Of the mentioned determine, 11, 907 benefited from the bursary; 614 received scholarships; 239 Regulation Faculty college students acquired assist, together with 500 Medical college students endeavor scientific coaching and 100 bodily challenged college students.
Earlier, the Governor had accredited and launched 600 and thirty-three million, 9 hundred and eighteen thousand naira solely (₦633,918,000.00) for the cost of the 2026 WASSCE registration charges for college students in public secondary faculties throughout the state. Governor Aiyedatiwa is doing these feats and extra, not simply as a social service however as strategic investments sooner or later of the state.
Requested what drives his many nice deliveries on this sector, Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed how he envisioned an Ondo State the place no baby is denied the chance to be taught as a result of of poverty; the place lecturers are revered and motivated; the place faculties are protected and conducive; the place college students have entry to know-how; and the place excellence is recognised and rewarded. At this price, I reckon that the sector, and the long run of the state, is in protected fingers.
* Akinbami is the Senior Particular Assistant to the Governor of Ondo State on Public Communication.
