National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS JCC Ondo Chairman, Comrade Oluwarotimi Tobiloba Joshua (JOSH), met with the Governor of Ondo, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Hon. Kevin Solomon Olaolu (KSO), at the Presidential Lodge of the Government House in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The meeting, organized by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Kevin Solomon Olaolu (KSO), addressed key student concerns in the state.
The leader of the delegation and NANS JCC Ondo Chairman, Comrade Oluwarotimi Tobiloba Joshua (JOSH), expressed his appreciation to the governor for granting the audience to the student leaders at this crucial time. He thanked the governor for the partial payment of the salary arrears owed to the workers of the Ondo State Polytechnic, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, and for appointing a young and versatile student leader as his SSA on Students’ Affairs. He urged the governor to allow regular interactions between the government and the student leaders. He also declared his support for Governor Aiyedatiwa in the forthcoming governorship election in the state on behalf of NANS JCC Ondo.
Addressing the pressing issues of the students, Comrade Oluwarotimi Tobiloba highlighted the need for the government to hasten the increase in subvention for the state-owned tertiary institutions. He urged the government to fulfill the promise of procuring buses for the tertiary institutions and provide transportation solutions for the students.
He stated, “The procurement of buses for the tertiary institutions in Ondo State, as promised by the government, is yet to be realized. There is a need for timely fulfillment. I urge His Excellency to provide transportation solutions for the students. Establishment of Polling Units (PU) on our campuses across the state is crucial to facilitate greater student participation in elections. Recognition of exceptional students in our various institutions should be considered to encourage them.
The road leading to the Permanent Site of the Ondo State University, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, is in bad condition and needs attention from the state government. Kindly attend to our needs in this regard, Your Excellency. Additionally, the Health Center around the school premises at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, should be equipped for students to access good healthcare.
The convocation ceremony at Ondo State Polytechnic, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, is long overdue. Kindly help us reinstate it to encourage our students studying there, sir. Job creation for our NANS leaders who are certified graduates should be provided to support their transition into professional roles.
After the partial payment, we plead with Your Excellency to help us pay the remaining salary arrears owed to the workers of the Ondo State Polytechnic. Thank you once again, Your Excellency, for your timely engagement and continuous support for the students of your state.”
In response, the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, lauded the students’ commitment to good governance in the state and assured that his administration would adequately fund the tertiary institutions in the state as part of increased funding for the education sector. He promised to look into the various issues and concerns raised by the student leaders, including the procurement of buses, while urging them to maintain peace on their campuses and avoid protests on issues that can be easily resolved.
The meeting was well attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Empowerment, Mr. Orioye Benedict Gbayisemore, and the Students Union Presidents of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; The Federal College of Agriculture, Akure; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji; Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo; Ondo State College of Health Technology, Akure; Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo, with the Stakeholders of NANS JCC Ondo, Director of Mobilization, and the PA to the Chairman, NANS JCC Ondo all present.
Peoplesmind