Governor Oyebanji Commends ASUSS, Reaffirms Commitment to Quality Education

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has commended the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) for its unwavering commitment to the advancement of education and the teaching profession in Nigeria.

The Governor gave the commendation at the opening of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting, held on Thursday, at the ASUSS Ekiti State Secretariat, Ajebamdele, Ado Ekiti.

Delivering the Governor’s goodwill, the Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, expressed the Governor’s appreciation to all the delegates from various states across the Country.

The Governor expressed profound appreciation to ASUSS for its unwavering support, commitment and contributions to educational development in Ekiti State, noting that the union has remained a dependable partner in advancing quality education.

He also commended members for their contributions to the modest achievements of his administration in the Education sector.The Governor reaffirmed his commitment to policies and programmes that will continue to improve teachers’ welfare and strengthen the education sector. Describing the hosting of the national executive meeting in Ekiti as a reflection of the peace, unity and hospitality enjoyed in the state, he welcomed delegates and wished them fruitful deliberations before the meeting was formally declared open.

The National President of ASUSS, Comrade Sola Adigun, warmly welcomed delegates from the 36 states of the federation to Ekiti State and commended Ekiti State Government for providing an enabling environment for the successful hosting of the NEC meeting.

He described Ekiti as the Fountain of Knowledge and land of honor expressing his confidence that the deliberations would produce far reaching resolutions that would strengthen the teaching profession and improve the nation’s education sector. Comrade Adigun urged participants to remain committed to the conference theme, “The Mindset Shift: Restoring Dignity, Reclaiming Value and Redefining Teachers’ Status,” noting that restoring the dignity and value of teachers is essential to building a stronger educational system and a better future for the country.

Goodwill messages were delivered by labour leaders, government officials and education stakeholders, who unanimously commended Ekiti State Government for its sustained investment in education and the welfare of teachers.

The speakers described the conference theme, “The Mindset Shift: Restoring Dignity, Reclaiming Value and Redefining Teachers’ Status,” as apt and timely, stressing that teachers remain the foundation of national development.

They called for renewed commitment to professionalism, ethical conduct, continuous capacity building and collective efforts toward restoring the dignity and value of the teaching profession, while urging participants to ensure that the resolutions reached at the meeting translate into meaningful reforms across the education sector.

The Head of Service, Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, delivered a thought-provoking keynote lecture on the conference theme, “The Mindset Shift: Restoring Dignity, Reclaiming Value and Redefining Teachers’ Status.” She described teachers as the cornerstone of national development and urged them to embrace a growth mindset, continuous professional development and lifelong learning in order to remain relevant in an evolving educational landscape.

She encouraged educators to leverage technology, innovation, mentorship and peer learning to enhance teaching and learning outcomes.While advocating greater teacher involvement in curriculum development and policy formulation,Dr. Olomojobi stressed the need for student – centerd, classroom based research to enrich education policy formulation .

Delivering the vote of thanks, the Secretary General of ASUSS, Comrade Kenneth Chukwudi, appreciated Governor Oyebanji for his continued support for teachers and commended the Head of Service for what he described as an inspiring lecture that has further challenged teachers to uphold excellence, professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The event was marked by the unveiling of two of the Staff welfare/Cooperative programmes indigenous to Ekiti state chapter of ASUSS. The distribution of brand new motorcycles procured under this program for the use of members was launched by the Head of service.

The event attracted top government officials, labour leaders and education stakeholders, including the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Labour Matters, Mr. Kayode Fatomiluyi, the Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Ekiti State Chapter, the Commissioner for Education represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Bayode Ogunmola, Permanent Secretary, Teaching Service Commission, Mr. Michael Boluwade, Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission, Mrs. Rhoda Ojo, ASUSS national executives, delegates from the 36 states of the federation and other invited guests.