From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

The Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Lere Oyewumi, representing Osun West Senatorial District, has commended Governor Ademola Adeleke’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of teachers and the overall improvement of public school education in Osun State.

Delivering his address on Monday at the State Wing Executive Meeting of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Ikire, Irewole Local Government area of Osun State, Senator Oyewumi specifically applauded Governor Ademola Adeleke’s proactive stance in prioritizing the well-being of the teaching workforce.

He stressed that this has focused on teachers welfare which has been a pivotal factor in the noticeable enhancement of performance and standards within the state’s public education system.

The lawmaker emphasized that the transformative work of teachers extends beyond the classroom, playing a crucial role in fostering community development and ultimately contributing significantly to national progress.

“Teachers are the unsung heroes of our society. Your tireless work in nurturing young minds is fundamental to building a knowledgeable, skilled, and responsible citizenry, which is essential for the sustainable development of our communities and the nation at large,” he remarked.

Senator Oyewumi’s presence at the NUT meeting underscores his consistent advocacy for quality education and his belief in the pivotal role of teachers in societal advancement.

As a representative of Osun West, Senator Oyewumi has been instrumental in facilitating various educational infrastructure projects within his constituency, including the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, ICT centers, libraries, and laboratories, further demonstrating his commitment to enhancing the learning environment for students across Osun State.

Senator Oyewumi assured the teachers in the entire Osun West Senatorial District of initiating comprehensive training programs for teachers and empowering them with essential technological tools, particularly computers.

He underscored the importance of equipping educators with modern skills and resources to meet the evolving demands of the 21st-century educational landscape.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Osun State Wing, Comrade Babalola Isaac Babatunde appreciated Senator Oyewumi’s unalloyed support to him and entire union adding that his unflinching support and cooperation to the development of entire NUT in the state cannot be over emphasised.

The Osun NUT Chairman who described Senator Oyewumi as an erudite scholar, one of the PDP foremost, active and dedicated leader not only in Osun State but in Nigeria as a whole called on the people of Osun West Senatorial District to continue to demonstrate their complete support to Senator Oyewumi for them to continue to enjoy dividends of democracy.

Comrade Babatunde also described Governor Ademola Adeleke as a teachers friendly Governor who always pursue the welfare and betterment of entire teachers in Osun.

The meeting concluded with a renewed sense of optimism and a shared commitment to the sustained growth and excellence of public education in Osun State.

Notables at the well attended meeting included Osun Commissioner II TESCOM, Hon. Sikiru Oyelakin; Irewole LGEA Secretary, Hon. Nureni Owoade; Isokan LGA Education Secretary, Hon. Badiru Otolorin; Hon. Lukman Oyeniran; Aare Moshood Jolaiya; Hon. Badiru Moruf; Hon. Femi Oladiran; among others.

The Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje has expressed the need to promote inclusivity, especially for women and persons with disabilities in technical education.

Bugaje stated this in Abuja while assessing the impact of President Bola Tinubu’s administration after two years in office.

He appealed for greater gender inclusivity in vocational and technical education, stressing that deliberate policies such as scholarships and incentives could help bridge the gender gap.

In support of his position, Bugaje shared an inspiring story of a female medical doctor who abandoned her medical career to pursue carpentry.

“There is a story I want to share with you, about a girl who was interested in becoming a carpenter.

“The father was a carpenter and they were four children in the family, three boys and herself.

“Whenever she joined the boys to the workshop, the father would send her away, saying, `you are a girl, go back to the house, you are not supposed to be a carpenter’’.

“Without giving considerations to the passion of the young girl, the father sent her to a medical school.

“She graduated with the MBBS, went and did the one-year internship after graduation, and chose a role as a medical doctor.

“After that, she came back to the father, returned the MBBS certificate to him, and thanked him.

“Afterward, she told the father that her passion is in carpentry, not to practice as medical doctor,” Bugaje narrated

He added that after spending seven years on medical training, the father had no option but to send her to Turkey to learn how to make furniture.

Addressing cultural and societal barriers often faced by young women in technical fields, Bugaje appealed to parents to support their daughters’ interests in trades like plumbing, electrical installation, and carpentry.

He also called on policymakers to prioritise passion and skill development among youth, especially girls, noting that such encouragement could lead to greater innovation and self-reliance.

“If they want to become carpenters, ICT experts, or POP artists, allow them.

“In skills’ training, passion is very important. That’s what motivates children and helps them innovate.

“We need to harness these innovations if the country is to move forward and rise beyond being a third-world nation,” he said.

He emphasized the need to have deliberate policies to encourage women to come into TVET through scholarships and other incentives. (NAN)

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has apologized for delay in conducting  English Language Paper 2 in the ongoing 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

 The took place on Wednesday evening.

In a statement by Moyosola Adesina, Acting Head of Public Affairs Department of
WAEC, the council said that it encountered challenges.

”While maintaining the integrity and security of our examination, we faced considerable challenges primarily due to our major aim of preventing leakage of any paper.

“We recognise the importance of timely conduct of examinations and the impact of this decision on candidates, their schools and parents, and we sincerely apologise for any inconveniences caused,” WAEC stated.

It said that it successfully achieved its objective but it inadvertently impacted the timeliness and seamless conduct of the examination.

“In spite of our best efforts, we encountered logistical hurdles, security concerns and socio-cultural factors that negatively influenced our operations,” WAEC said.

The council re-affirmed its commitment to upholding the highest standard in examination conduct, and pledged to continue to promote academic excellence. (NAN)