Comprehensive Research on Otunba Gbenga Daniel's Midas Touch in Ogun State Education Sector Between 2003 - 2011 by Osunjimi Ajibola

Ogun state as the bedrock of journalism, education and christianity cannot be brushed aside when it comes to its outstanding performance in all facets of life.

From the beginning of its creation, the state is known for education excellence and its outstanding contributions to the development of Nigerian projects.

Sometimes ago on this platform, we raised a cogent issue about education, this prompted me to go into research in order to what we have left undone, or what we have stopped doing that led to the death of the academic excellence that Ogun state was known for.
Below are my findings:
Let me start from Primary school.

Instructional mterials
:I discovered that between 2003 - 2011, the primary schools and junior secondary schools had not been denied the use of instructional materials such as play gadgets, modules, time book, school diaries, first aid boxes, plastic furniture, chalk, library books, staff movement registers. Others were free textbooks in core subjects like sciences, social studies, English, Mathematics, as well as science equipment, magnetic boards, teaching clock, procurement and donation of library books to 130 primary schools.

Science Equipment
Between 2003 and 2004, over #52 million worth of these materials were distributed to public schools in the state. The commencement of UBE, through the release of the State counterpart fund, the administration procured instructional materials worth over #410 million and distributed them to public schools in the state.

Capacity Building
In the area of human capital development , the number of workshops organized by Government for teaching and non - teaching staff of public primary schools was legion. Within the period under review (2003 - 2011), a large number of members of staff in public primary schools participated in one form of training or the other, including workshops in various subjects like primary science, primary social studies, English, mathematics, road safety and computer studies. Others included Montessori Phonic Workshop, behavioural management workshops, as well as other training in the areas of health education and numeracy.

At the junior secondary school level, over 4, 766 teachers, principals and vice - principals benefited from the capacity building programme.

Employment of Teachers
Before the Administration came on board in 2003, there were 6, 225 teachers and 1, 026 non - teaching staff in the service. The Administration on assumption of office established the Voluntary Teaching Corps Scheme (VTCS) which was designed to provide employment for qualified teachers in the teaching profession. Over 5, 000 University, NCE and HND graduates that participated in the VTCS for a period of one year were permanent employment by the Administration. Another 1, 000 participants in Gateway Grassroots Teachers Scheme that served the state for a period of one year were also given permanent appointment. The staff strength in secondary schools was more than doubled as a result of the initiative of that administration (which means there were enough competent human resources).

ICT Programme in Secondary School
Between 2003 - 2011, the administration recorded huge success in the area of ICT education in secondary schools. More than 80% of the secondary schools were provided with computers and in some cases internet facilities to boost computer education in the schools under the "School-Net" and "MTN School Connect Programme".
The Computer Education Programme under that administration was flagged off with the introduction of ICT expansion Train - the - Trainer programme in which 40 teachers were trained in the first stage. Before the end of that tenure of the administration in 2011, at least one teacher per secondary school had been trained across the state.
This training was followed up by the distribution of a minimum of two computer systems per school to some of the beneficiary schools. In a nutshell the finding revealed that 231 secondary schools received a total of 1, 982 computer systems in the state.
The strong interest shown by that Administration encouraged bodies such as MTN foundation to donate computer systems with internet facilities to four schools namely, Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta, Iganmode Grammar School, Ota, Remo Secondary School, Sagamu, and Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro. Also, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) donated computer systems to Ijebu Ode Grammar School, Ijebu Ode.

Release of Running Cost to Secondary Schools and Government Science and Technical Colleges
It was discovered in this investigation that between 2003 to 2010 the sum of #440 million was released as grant, thus undoubtedly allowed the schools to move at as faster and efficient pace.
Any government that fail to get the education right, no tangible achievement can be made by such administration.
UNDERWRITING OF WASSCE FEES FOR SSS 3 STUDENTS
Another major achievement of the Administration was the underwriting of the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination fees of bonafide SSS 3 students in public secondary schools. The gesture was a great relief to parents and students, particularly indigent students who might have lost the opportunity of going further in their education due to lack of resources. Between 2003 and 2010, over #1 billion was released by that Administration for this purpose.

That administration within the same period released another sum of over #1 billion to categories of students and undergraduates as scholarships and bursary awards.
It is expedient to mention that I received bursary awards from that administration twice, the first one was in 2004 and the second one was in 2005, the total received was #4, 500.

TERTIARY EDUCATION
OLABISI ONABANJO UNIVERSITY, AGO-IWOYE
At the assumption of office in 2003, the administration under review relocated the institution from the old site at Ago Iwoye Secondary School to the permanent site, not that alone, the existing road in the University till date were the ones constructed by the Ogun State Road Maintenance Agency (OGROMA).
It is not gainsaying that Olabisi Onabanjo University benefited immensely from the administration's drive to ensure a sector-wide development of all agencies and institutions in the state.

Prior to the emergence of this administration, OOU received a monthly subvention of #55 million, this was increased to #65 million in March, 2004, later increased to #100 million in October 2006.
By June, 2008, the administration had already raised the figure to #148 million. It is worthy to mention that this increase of 100 percent within four years served as a boost to the development of both existing and new facilities in the university.
The Public-Private Partnership model worked to the advantage of the institution by providing much needed physical infrastructure. The construction of the 1, 500 seater OGD lecture theatre at the main campus of the university by the State Government was completed in 2005. The university main entrance (otherwise known as the Gatehouse)which was started by Chief Olusegun Osoba's administration was completed by the administration that took over in 2003, with the erection of Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, the first visitor to the university.

Other physical structures that were completed during the life of the administration were the Management Science Complex, Faculty of Law Office block, Lecture Theatres I and II, Masscommunication Complex etc.
The administration successfully attained the accreditation of all programmes of the university by the National University Commission (NUC), including Law, economics and accounting programmes that were formerly dis-credited. The accreditation was made possible by the release of funds at various times by the State Government to enable the university prepare for the periodic exercise. It is important to note that the administration released the sum of #267.45 million as accredtation grant to the university between 2005 - 2008.
The multi-campus status of Olabisi Onabanjo University was resuscitated with the take-off of the Colleges of Agriculture, Engineering & Technology and Basic Medical Sciences in Ayetoro, Ibogun and Ikenne respectively.
Till today, this initiative resulted into the spread of Olabisi Onabanjo University across three Senatorial Districts.

TAI SOLARIN UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, IJEBU - ODE
The 2003 - 2011 administration in Ogun state set the pace for professionalized Teacher's education in Nigeria on January 29, 2005. In less than a year the new university joined the comity of Nigerian Universities with the certification by the National Universities Commission on November 28, 2005.
The establishment of the institution offered wide range of employment opportunities to the citizens. When it started the total staff strength was 794, , comprising 267 academic staff, 296 senior non-acadmic staff and 231 junior staff.
The administration with Private-Public Partnership policy attracted about #1.86 billion worth of assets to the university.
Another enduring legacy of that administration was that all roads in the institution were constructed by the Ogun State Roads Maintenance Agency.

TAI SOLARIN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, OMU-IJEBU
When the then College of Education was upgraded to Tai Solarin University of Education in 2005, the National Commission for Colleges of Education insisted that TASSCE and TASUED cannot cohabit on the same site. It took the unrelenting effort of Otunba Gbenga Daniel to get TASSCE registered again.
Having considered the proximity of Omu to Ijagun, Otunba Gbenga Daniel settled for Omu which enabled the staff and students of TASSCE to continue using some of the facilities in TASUED.
 Otunba Gbenga Daniel based on the directive given by the National Commission for Colleges of Education got the House of Assembly enact a law to set up Tai Solarin College of Education.
The institution moved to the new site on October 2008, the House enacted a law on January 29, 2009.
This thoughtful step was why the school survived till date.
The Government promptly released some money to renovate the existing structures of the former Omu Ajose Secondary School, Omu-Ijebu.
The adninistration constructed one U-Shape building consisting of 24 classrooms, a courtyard and toilet facilities.
It is also worthy to state that Otunba Gbenga Daniel gave backing to the College which helped in getting WEMCO to donate 1, 500 capacity lecture hall to the institution.
Another donation came from Sir Adebutu Kesington who donated the Laboratory to the institution.
The administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel built 1, 000 capacity lecture theatre.
During the last days of OGD led administration, an Ultra Modern Hostel facility of 432 bed for male and female students was commissioned at the institution.

MOSHOOD ABIOLA POLYTECHNIC, ABEOKUTA
This Polytechnic was established in 1979 with the objective of producing needed manpower technically, academically and in the area of sports.
The giant leap of the polytechnic in structural development eas too visible to ignore. With the provision of basic facilities for the use og students and lecturers, the potential of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) as a leading provider of technology was brought to the fore.
The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) policy was given a push as evident in the infrastructural projects carried out by the polytechnic between 2006 - 2010. These were rhe 500 seater lecture hall donated by a legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Wale Babalakin, the long abandoned auditorium that was completed by the State Government was named after the state Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the restructured administrative block that was designed for aesthetics and functionality and the Kola Sorinola ICT Building.
Other infrastructural facilities that sprung up during the period and worthy to mention were the Academic Affairs building, the rehabilitation of Rabiat Abiola Health Centre, the Acquisition and installation of a 250KVA generating set for the administrative block, Kesington Adebutu laboratory complex and reconstruction of the MAPOLY guest house(which was renamed as MAPINSCO Suites) amongst others.
In order to play within the International education arena, the Polytechnic established linkage with the Conventry University in the United Kingdom, whilst five employees of the Polytechnic were jointly sponsored by the State Government for a fellowship programme in the University.
Other facilities are outlined here:
Construction of Sports Pavilion and Courts for Lawn Tennis, Baskedt Ball, Handball, Volley Ball and Hockey Pitch;

The Construction of a building consisting of seven calssrooms for the convenience of students;

Provision of wireless intercom network to enhance managerial, administrative and communication processes;

Close circuit television projectbto monitor students during examinations and provision of enhanced security on campus;

Entrepreneurial development centre donated by Skye Bank;

Water Scheme.

Between 2006 and 2010, twenty - three diploma programmes either at the National Diploma (ND) or Higher National Diploma (HND), were accredited. It was during this period that National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Technology, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Hospitality and Tourism, as well as HND in Electrical / Electronics, Statistics and Food Technology.

In tandem with the 'Agenda for A Secured Future" programme of the administration, the polytechnic formulated a five-year Strategic Develooment Plan with the aim to strategically position the institution for future challenges.
Tagged Mapoly Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (MENDS), it was fashioned along thenlines of the National Economic Empowerment and Development (NEEDS).

Four ICT-BASED POLYTECHNICS
The basis for establishment of four ICT-based by the Administration was to bring up the State in to the technologically driven contemporary global trends.
These institutions were conceived as Monotechnics and they were designed to provide high level Information and Communication Technology (ICT) certifications in conjuction with the World renowned ICT educational institutions such as CISCO, Microsoft etc; on a self sustaining basis.

However, in order to derive substantial funding from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the management of these institutions converted into Polytechnic status.
The Government was clearly thinking of how Nigeria and Africa at large lost out in the Industrial Revolution and concluded that the digital revolution should not also pass the people by. Hence, the vision to create a breeding ground of future ICT experts in line with the global technological trends.

The four Polytechnics were named after four prominent indigenes of the State thay have made vital comtributions to the development of the education sector, include the Sir Kesington Adebutu Polytechnic, Saapade, Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo, D.S Adegbenro Polytechnic, Itoti and Ayi Otegbola Polytechnic, Igbesa.

All the four (4) had gained accreditation of the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) the national regulatory body for Polytechnics in Nigeria.
The State government was able to provide basic infrastructures such as access roads, water and electricity. Few well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies also supported the efforts of the State Government in the provision of facilities like lecture theatres, auditoriums, classrooms, laboratories and ICT-based centres.
Two years into its existence, one of the Polytechnics, Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu-Igbo, won the best CISCO Networking Academy Award for Tertiary Institutiins in the whole of Africa and the Middle East.

In 2009, the Polytechnic again won the most outstanding CISCO Networking Academy award among 142 tertiary institutions that met at the Unibersity of Jos. It performed similar feat in 2010, despite prudent allocation of #7 million for each of the ICT Polytechnics to cater for salary and allowances of staff.

Ogun State School Of Health, Ilese
The late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo's administration established the Ogun State School of Health, but it was neither acknowledged nor recognized by the Health authorities, there was ni accreditation for their courses and no employment by Employers of Labour.
It was OGD's administration that signed into law the bill establishing the college which is most fundamental and provided employment in one fell swoo for about 500 workers who have qualified over the years in the Public service.
The administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel gave a monthly subvention of 5m to the school and also granted autonomy to the institution.
The government appointed a council, also appointed a competent Provost etc.
 Bursary awards were given to the students and the Governor personally visited the institution.

GATEWAY INDUSTRIAL AND PETROL GAS INSTITUTE, ONI
This institute was commissioned in January 2008 as a platform to provide training and to serve as a pool for technological manpower for the oil and gas industry.
The institute was also created with the vision to equip the youth with marketable skills in the oil and gas industry. It has school of Technical Skills Development comprising four departments namely: Computer Aided Design (CAD); Health Safety and Environment (HSE); Plumbing and Piping Technology (PPT); Welding and Fabrication Technology (WFT).
Located in the riverine area of Ogun Waterside, the institute was established to take maximum opportunities created by the OK LNG and Deep Sea Port Projects.

The above findings showed that the education sector between 2003 - 2011 lived up to expectation and enjoyed maximum supports from that administration which made the sector the cynosure of all eyes