By Ayodele Oni
Cheering news is coming for parents and students in tertiary institutions in Ekiti state as Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, revealed plan to meet stakeholders of state owned institutions on possible way to reduce tuition fees.
There are three tertiary institutions, Ekiti State University, Ado, Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology, Ikere and Ekiti State Polytechnic, Isan which are being owned by the state.
According to the governor, part of the effort would be to liaise with the Governing Councils of the Ekiti State University and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti, for possible reduction in the tuition fees .
He also admonished the youths to step out of their comfort zones and take advantage of the opportunities created by his administration to succeed in life .
The governor, who was speaking during a programme tagged “Youth, let’s Us Talk With BAO”, in Ado Ekiti at the weekend, as part of the activities marking the First anniversary assured them of a greater future .
Oyebanji said: “I didn’t create the Ministry of Youth Development by accident. I also adopted the Ekiti Youth Agenda document. We are going to look at this document together to know how to make your lives better.”
He promised to sign the Local Contents Bill into Law to prevent capital flight and mandates contractors to tap into potentials available in Ekiti, rather than going to other states to hire labour.
The governor expressed readiness to provide security and good road facility for investors, so that employment can also be generated from the private sector to reinforce what the government is offering.
“But let me tell you that access to power and leadership requires discipline and you being circumspect. All the leaders need successors that can outmatch and surpass them. They will want to test you and once you fail leadership test, then you can’t be entrusted with power and leadership.
“As youths, learn how to discipline yourselves. Don’t be selfish. Try and have good and sound morality. Try and step out of your comfort zones and go through self denials. But are you ready to go through the furnace? If you can’t do these, you can’t be in position of leadership.
The Governor advised the youth to be hopeful for a better future and refrain from being despondent due to the current socio-economic situations, exuding confidence that Nigeria is destined to be great and requires the sacrifices of all patriotic citizens for it to assume that status.
While answering some of the questions posed to him, Oyebanji advised the youth not to wait for instant solutions to all their problems, urging them to key into available opportunities created by government in sports, arts and culture and other sectors of the economy and stop scouting for shut cuts to success.
The Governor said he agreed to the fact that youth are supposed to be partners in governance, but added that they should make enough sacrifices to develop Ekiti the way he and other Ekiti leaders exhibited while scrambling for the state creation under Gen Sanni Abacha-led Military government.
“Despite that this country is passing through some tough challenges at present, some people are still making it big in legitimate businesses. So, don’t lose hope in this country. Nigeria is destined to be great and it shall be greater. Let us work harder and hope for the best.
“I know the capacity of our youths, if I partner you, it is going to be a win-win situation. This government will continue to accord you respect, because you have shown great understanding. I know you have expectations.
“This government owes you a great deal, we will partner you to ensure we navigate this path together. I come to this office to deny myself of many benefits, so that we can have a good society that can benefit all of us. That is the kind of spirit and mindset you must develop.”
