Education: Oyo government seeks PPP support

The Oyo State Government on Thursday solicited for support from Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the improvement of the standard of education in the state.

Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, made the call at the inauguration of a borehole donated by MRS Oil Nigeria PLC, to Islamic Day Secondary School, Basorun in Ibadan.

Olowofela, who was represented by Mrs Aminat Atere, a Director, in the Planning, Research and Statistics, said the gesture will provide a conducive environment for staff and students.

The commissioner said it was evident that the state government alone, cannot provide all the necessities of quality education for all due to increase in the number of schools and school-age children.

“It is apparent that government alone cannot fund education and it became imperative that the private sectors, philanthropists and
associations must partner with government in order to get the desired result in the education sector.

While expressing the crucial role of Water to sanitation, the commissioner said that the development of education and the society as a whole cannot be overemphasized.

“That was why water and sanitation form basic facilities in any school as stipulated by UNICEF standard.

“Teaching and learning of Science may not be effective and thorough without water in the laboratories. More importantly, water becomes indispensable when considering sewage issues”

The representative of MRS, Mr Andrew Onum, the Chief Legal Counsel, said that the completion of the project was a milestone for the company as it further demonstrated it commitment toward community development.

According to him, the project is aimed at providing reliable, sustainable and improve water supply for the community as a whole.

He said that the MRS was committed to replicating the project across other geopolitical zones of the country.

“We at MRS believe that sustainable development is not possible without water. Lack of access to safe water has direct health implications” he said.

In a remark, the Principal of the school, Mr Muniru Aremu, commended the gesture and thanked the management of MRS for contributing towards the improvement of the education sector in the state.

Aremu said that the school will appreciate more gesture from well-meaning Nigerians, Philanthropists in the development of the school.