Students from various higher Institutions in Oyo State on Tuesday protested at secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
The students lamented the poor state of education in the state, the attitude of the government towards lecturers, and the alleged tyrannical operation of Platinum Consultant engaged by Governor Seyi Makinde to oversee the activities of tertiary education in the state.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye has said that Tuesday’s protests embarked upon by students of some state-owned tertiary institutions was needless.
The commissioner, who spoke on the issues raised by the students said that the state government had addressed accreditation issues affecting the institutions.
A statement by Mr. Taiwo Adisa, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, indicated that the commissioner stated this on Tuesday, noting that the administration of Governor Makinde has implemented policies and programmes that have impacted positively on tertiary education in the state.
He said: “The students are agitating on infrastructural development in the institutions, lack of accreditation of courses and the immediate call-off of JAC-inspired strike action currently going on in their various institutions
“JAC has no reason to go on strike. There is regular payment of the minimum wage. The 11 months arrears will be paid by government. All courses at the Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa, have been accredited.
“Also, the capital grant has already been released to the College of Education, Lanlate, while 14 new courses have just been accredited for the First Technical University (Tech-U), Ibadan.
“However, the Council of Oyo State College of Agricultural Technology (OYSCATECH) Igboora only recently wrote to seek government’s support in respect of accreditation.”
