Adeyemi College Of Education to be upgraded as University of Education soon - Senator Alasoadura

A member representing Ondo Central senatorial district at the Upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Omotayo Donald Alasoadura, has given assurance that final arrangement has been concluded for the passage of the bill required for the upgrade of Adeyemi College of Education ( ACE) Ondo to a University of Education.

The lawmaker dropped the hint while speaking at the 2018 Democracy Symposium organized by the 2017/2018 Student Union Executive of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, held on May 29, 2018 in the institution.

Speaking further on the College status upgrade, Senator Alasoadura said as part of efforts aimed at ensuring the realization of the goal and provision of necessary cash backing, the lawmakers have included the sum of #1 billion  in the 2018 budget recently passed and transmitted to President Muhammad Buhari for his assent.

Senator Alasoadura congratulated the students for organizing the programme and enjoined them to pay serious attention to their studies.

In his remarks, the Provost, ACE Ondo, Prof. Olukoya Ogen represented by his Deputy, Dr. Samuel Akintunde, described the day as very important and lauded the student's body for organising the event.

Prof. Ogen stressed the need for citizens of the country to work for development and sustenance of democracy; he enjoined staff and students of the College to continue to contribute positively to the growth and advancement of the nation.

Also in his address, the Dean, Student Affairs in the College Mr. Olaniyi Olaluwoye, stated that the symposium was organised by the students, as part of their contributions towards ensuring sustenance of democracy and production of credible leaders that are needed for taking Nigeria to higher level.

Olaluwoye congratulated the 2017 / 2018 Student Union Executive for sustaining the legacy bequeathed to them by their predecessors through the organisation of the symposium. He, however, expressed appreciation to Management of the College for supporting the student's body morally and financially.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the Student's Union President, Comrade Zubair Taofeek Abidemi, described the day as special and thanked the College Management for support extended to the Union.

Zubair explained that the theme of this year's symposium: " EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP : A PANACEA TO TRUE DEMOCRACY ", was chosen to mark the celebration of Democracy day in the country and to provide platform where staff and students, could  get additional knowledge on national issues, that could help in advancing the cause of true democracy in Nigeria.

In a keynote address delivered on the occasion by the Vice-Chancellor, Ondo State University of Medical Sciences, Prof. Friday Okonofua on the topic entitled: " EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP : A SUSTAINABLE PANACEA TO TRUE DEMOCRACY ", he stressed the importance of education and the need for sustenance of current democratic dispensation in the country.

Prof. Okonofua represented by a staff of the University, Prof. Odinmayo Simidele outlined what he described as correlation between education and leadership saying when combined, the duo would help in "raising the ability of the led to solve problems through inspiration and encouragement as well as helping them realise their ultimate goals and potentials.

On how education could play positive role in the achievement of true democracy in Nigeria, Prof. Okonofua stressed the need for delivery and impacting relevant educational knowledge to pupils/ students at various levels of education such as "preschool primary, secondary and tertiary institutions."

He highlighted qualities required from a good leader and harped on the need for elected representatives to make effective use of findings from operational research, human dynamics in legislation and careful execution of priority projects stating that the step would give the populace, the opportunity to enjoy dividends of democracy.

Also in his lead paper presentation the Provost, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA), Dr. Samson Areola Odedina, represented by a lecturer at the FECA, Dr. Abiodun Adeeko, highlighted the importance of education in society saying “as liberator, education widens the range of options both political and economic to the populace and also facilitates opportunities for them to have access and capacity to use information available to them prudently ".

While stressing the need for the government to provide access to education and encourage the citizens of the country to participate actively in politics, the renowned Agriculture expert said the decision would enable individuals and groups to "analyze and appraise their own situation favorably ".

Dr Odedina listed qualities required for people aspiring for leadership position to include honesty, patriotism, passion, commitment, patience, fortitude as well as possession of temperament for consultation, consensus building and compromise.

He stressed the need for people in leadership position to have vision saying "the sacred role and duty of leadership in turning developing democracy like ours into true democracy is to tackle the challenges of democracy and remove obstacles to the development of the system".

In addition, he also harped on the need for the emergence of what he called committed leadership stating that "the quality of any  leadership is seen in its response to the challenges that confronts the system, that is what distinguish a good leadership from a bad leadership " he remarked.

The highpoint of the event which held at the New Centre for Educational Technology (CET) building was the presentation of awards to seven eminent personalities including Senator Omotayo Alasoadura; Hon. Iranola Akinlaja; Vice-Chancellor UNIMED, Prof. Friday Okonofua; Provost, Federal College of Agriculture Akure (FECA), Dr. Samson Areola Odedina.