In what looked like a turnaround, the Ogun State Governor,
Prince Dapo Abiodun, at the weekend dissolved the establishment of the new
state-owned University, Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology,
Ojere, Abeokuta, and reverted the institution to its former status, Moshood
Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY).
In its stead, the governor also constituted a
committee to look into the operational modalities of the establishment of the
Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology, Abeokuta and Ogun State
Polytechnic, Ipokia.
This is coming as the governor also pledged his
administration's commitment to revamp the state health care system at all
levels.
He assured the people of his commitment towards
ensuring a minimum of one flagship Primary Health Centre in each ward across
the state in the first 100 days of his administration.
Abiodun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary
(CPS), Mr. Kunle Somorin, said the committee has become imperative to look into
the operational modalities of the state-owned Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY)
which has been enmeshed in crises following the establishment of the Moshood Abiola
University of Science and Technology, Abeokuta and the subsequent creation of
the Ogun State Polytechnic at the end of the immediate past administration of
Senator Ibikunle. Amosun.
The governor noted that as a result of the unresolved issues,
the fate of candidates and students of MAPOLY and their lecturers have been
uncertain, a development of which has even worsened the academic activities of
the institution.
However, he has directed the immediate reversion of
the MAPOLY to its former status quo ante, with full academic activities
restored, while the committee has been saddled with the responsibility to
determine the way forward for the new institutions.
According to the governor, "As a responsible
government, we cannot fold our arms and allow the situation to continue
unabated.
"We cherish human capital development. This
committee is therefore set up to holistically review the status, viability and
sustainability of these newly established institutions.
"The review committee is expected to recommend
operational modalities for these institutions after interfacing with
stakeholders in the education sector.
"The committee headed by the former Vice Chancellor of
Tai Solarin University of Education, Prof. Segun Awonusi, has the following
terms of reference: ‘Ascertain the current operational status of Moshood Abiola
University of Science and Technology, Abeokuta and Ogun State Polytechnic; identify
issues and challenges related to the establishment and operations of the two
institutions; determine the viability and sustainability of the institutions on
a long term basis; identify any other issue(s) related to the objectives of the
assignment; and make recommendations for the consideration of the state government."
Other members of the committee are former Rector of
Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Alhaji Waheed Kadiri; season academic
and National President of Workplace
Educators and Managers Association of Nigeria (WEMAN), Prof Joseph Odemuyiwa; Chief
Lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Dr. Biodun Oluseye; Abeeb Wale
Ajayi, the National President of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Alumni Association,
Mr. H.O. Ayoade, among others.
Meanwhile, the governor has pledged his
administration's commitment to revamp the state health care system at all
levels.
The state governor, who was represented by his
wife, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, at the flag off ceremony of the second round of
Polio Outbreak Response Campaign held at the Ijebu Ode Local Government Area
Secretariat, Itooro, at the weekend, acknowledged the critical role child's
health plays in the growth and economic development of any given society.
Abiodun explained that immunisation has greatly
reduced to the barest minimum the infant mortality rate among children between
the age of zero to five which he attributed to the improved level of education
and awareness in the society.
He said the Polio Outbreak Response Campaign was
key to improving the immunity of children against Type 2 Oral Polio Virus that
could cause paralysis and even death among children.
In his remark at the event, the Permanent Secretary
of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Adesanya Ayinde, described immunisation as one
of the potent and cost effective health intervention for the reduction of death
among children under the age of five.
The ceremony, which was organised by the state
Primary Health Care Development Board in conjunction with a number of
development partners including the World Health Organisation (WHO), Rotary Club
International, UNICEF and NPHCDA among others, had their representatives
reiterating their continued support for the health sector in the state.
The Executive Secretary, Ogun State Primary Health
Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, while also giving the vote of
thanks, enjoined parents and caregivers to
present children between the ages of zero and five months for the house
to house vaccination against polio which commenced June 15 to 18 across the
state.
No comments:
Post a Comment