Prominent Nigerians, including business leaders, philanthropists, traditional rulers and public officials, were expected to attend the launch of the Oyo State Education Trust Fund (ETF), hosted by the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi in Ibadan.
Among those listed as expected guests were Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha; Chairman of the T.Y. Danjuma Foundation, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd.); Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Founder of First City Monument Bank, Otunba Subomi Balogun; and Ibadan-based industrialist, Chief Kola Daisi.
Also expected were the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Diaspora Affairs, Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Founder and Chairman of Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko; Chairman of Forte Oil, Femi Otedola; Publisher of Guardian Newspapers, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru; and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu.
Chairman of the Oyo State Education Trust Fund, Dr Nike Akande, who disclosed the expected attendance in Ibadan, said the initiative was designed to mobilise additional resources for the development of education across the state.
According to Akande, the ETF would complement existing interventions by the state government, including the School Governing Boards (SGB) initiative and the Oyo State Model Education System Interventions (OYOMESI).
She explained that funds raised through the trust would be channelled into various educational needs, including the construction and renovation of school facilities, provision of Information and Communication Technology equipment, science equipment, teaching and learning materials, furniture and sporting facilities.
Part of the funds, she added, would also support capacity-building programmes for teachers and students, among other educational needs.
The launch was scheduled to take place at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, at 10 a.m., with members of the Ibadan Elders Forum, educationists, traditional rulers, philanthropists, corporate organisations and other stakeholders expected to attend.
Akande assured that funds generated through the initiative would be managed prudently, stressing the importance of accountability in achieving the objectives of the trust.
She appealed to individuals, organisations and other well-meaning Nigerians to support the initiative, noting that Oyo State had historically been regarded as a major centre of education in Nigeria.
“We want to justify that accolade with improved results, basic infrastructure and manpower development among others,” she said.
Akande also acknowledged the contributions of School Governing Boards, old students’ associations and philanthropists towards efforts to improve education in the state, while calling for broader support for the Education Trust Fund.
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