Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, on Tuesday received a standing ovation from youths and the students of all the tertiary institutions in the state, even as he donated no fewer than 12 buses to the Students’ Union Governments of all the institutions.
The youths and students from both federal and state-owned institutions based in the state, numbering over 10,000, gathered at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan for an interactive session with the governor, which was said to be the first in the annals of the state.
Overwhelmed by what they called an outstanding performance by the governor which had manifested in his unprecedented transformation and urban renewal programmes, they pledged to work together for his re-election in 2015.
The students were unanimous in their assessment of the two-and-a-half year tenure of Governor Ajimobi, concluding that he had performed excellently well and that he had once again put the state on the path of development.
The National President of Federation of Oyo State Students’ Union (FOSSU), Mr. Ahmad Olansile said that the state had never had it so good, particularly in the areas of security, education, health and environment.
“It is a thing of joy that Oyo State is now witnessing tremendous peace owing to the establishment of a security outfit by the state codenamed ‘Operation Burst’. We are now sleeping with our two eyes closed without any fear of being harassed or molested.
“This is a clear departure from the violence and brigandage inflicted on Oyo State by the past administration, a development which had given the state a bad name,’’ he noted.
Also, the President of National Association of Nigerian Students, Mr. Yinka Gbadebo, also commended the governor for his giant strides in the areas of education.
He particularly hailed the establishment of the State Technical University, which he said would open more doors of admission opportunity for Oyo State indigenes seeking admission to tertiary institutions.
Gbadebo also called for the establishment of a separate empowerment scheme for fresh graduates as a way of ensuring provision of job opportunities for them.
Besides, Messrs. Olatunde Badmus and Iyiola Oladimeji from the University of Ibadan and The Polytechnic, Ibadan respectively also lauded the achievements of the governor which they said had qualified him for re-election in 2015.
They, however, called for a wholesale rehabilitation of the facilities in various institutions which they said had been neglected by past administrations, with particular emphasis on The Polytechnic, Ibadan, School of Hygiene, Eleiyele and School of Nursing, Ibadan.
Governor Ajimobi, in his address, acknowledged the poor conditions of some of the institutions which he said was due to long time neglect by past administration.
He, however, assured that his administration would ensure immediate rehabilitation of the affected institutions, adding that all the infrastructural facilities in those schools would be upgraded to aid smooth teaching and learning.
He also promised that some of the schools which were yet to benefit from the buses would have theirs in the next few weeks.
While commending the students for the integrity which they displayed as well as their peaceful conduct at the programme, Ajimobi stressed the need for them to always exhibit Godliness in their daily conduct and strive to be the best they can be in their life pursuit.