There is need for the government at all levels to provide more funds for education, the Vice Chancellor, Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, Prof. Lanre Olaniyan, has said.
He gave the suggestion at the 30th anniversary lecture of the Trinity International College, Ofada, Ogun State at the weekend. The event had as its theme: ”A legacy of excellence: 30 years of learning, leadership and lifelong connections”.
Olaniyan, who spoke on sub-theme, ”Reimagining education for a new generation: Strategies engineering lifelong learners”, however, argued that there was no way education could be free at all levels, despite the stand of the constitution on the matter.
He lamented that 82 million of Nigerians do not have access to education, despite the efforts of the government to provide education. While regretting the lack of access to education, he said only 15 per cent of Nigerians get admission to tertiary institutions yearly.
The don said the Federal Government was yet to meet the target set by the United Nations for Nigeria on education, while local and state governments are struggling to fund primary and secondary education, their areas of statutory concentration.
Chairman/Vice Chancellor, Trinity University, Prof. Clement O. O. Kolawole, sought better welfare for teachers to enable them to perform better.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, praised the school for three decades of transformative service to education, describing the institution as ‘a beacon of hope’ and a model for holistic learning in the state.
Arigbabu praised the school for producing graduates who have distinguished themselves globally as doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, and public servants.
He noted the institution’s consistent achievements, including its impressive performance this year in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
He said Trinity’s alignment with Ogun State’s education agenda, which is ‘Quality Education for All: Every Child, Every Opportunity’-makes it a key contributor to the state’s development.
Chairman of Trinity Group, Pastor Samuel Olatunji,described recent abductions of pupils as a reflection of Nigeria’s deteriorating value system.
He emphasised that the school continues to strengthen its security systems, constantly reviewing structures and urging the government to do more to safeguard lives.