We Introduced Same Uniform To Grow Economy —Aregbesola

The first Secondary School Literary Champion in Osun State on Tuesday has emerged after the grand finale of a school debate on leadership, organised by Omoluabi Support Group and Oranmiyan Worldwide.
The colourful event was held at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding, Osogbo, Osun State capital.
The programme, which appeared as a political debate, ended up as a reassessment test for the education reform policy of Mr Rauf Aregbesola’s administration.
The performance of the pupils triggered emotion and commendations as a result of their competence and performance, which was a reflection of the present administration’s investment on education.
After the debate, Master Ayodele Abeeblahi, from Osogbo Grammar School, emerged the champion, while Jacob Mary from Apara Memorial College, Kajola, emerged the first runner-up.
The winner would be with the governor of the state for a day on May 26, 2014.
Speaking after the debate, Governor Aregbesola, who was so excited by the performance of the pupils, said they had justified the state government’s investment on education in the last three and a half years.
He said: “I am so impressed and excited that out of wrecked education by the previous administration, these pupils can still come out with brilliant ideas. I am very proud because it is obvious that they can compete with any student in the whole world.
“This was our vision for the state; to build a better future for the younger generations. If we refuse to do this, it means we have failed and doomed. Some people, many years back, provided this opportunity for us, and we are also duty-bound to provide such opportunity for the incoming generations.
“We started the reform in 2012, and we are so proud of the result we are getting. That is why I still wonder that some people still criticise our school uniform policy, thinking it is the only aspect of our reform. In the 60s, students in the whole of South West and Delta, were using the same uniform before the missions introduced different uniforms.
“In Benin Republic, very close to us here, they are using the same uniform, Khaki, across the country and we did not deliberately do it; we introduced it to grow our economy, and make us self-sustainable; a state that cannot survive independently is doomed.”
Aregbesola then commended Omoluabi Group members, who are public office holders in Lagos for their support for the competition since 2005 up till date.
He urged the students, who participated in the debate, to see it as the Olympic, which its joy is to participate and learn tolerance, which is crucial to human survival.
The governor promised the students, teachers and other stakeholders in the education sector that the state would continue to do its best for the education sector.
Speaking on the occasion, the deputy governor, Otunba (Mrs) Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, who doubles as the State Commissioner for Education, said the current education level in the state was a complete departure from the old trend of redundancy and mass failure, and attributed the success to the vision of Governor Aregbesola.
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