Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, has praised Ekiti State’s commitment to education and claimed that because of the state’s investment in education, its citizens are less likely to commit crimes and wind up behind bars.
Akpabio made the remarks during the 29th convocation ceremony of the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, where the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; Chairman, Federal Internal Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji; and Chairman, Board of the Bank of Industry, Dr. Mansur Muhtar, were awarded honorary doctorates.
Akpabio stressed that the construction of the road would complement the state’s effort in the areas of infrastructure, education, human capital development and security.
Praising Ekiti people’s love for education, Akpabio said, “When you have a good product, you do not need to hype it too much as people will buy it anywhere.
Ekiti people are good people. Ekiti people are the most educated.
“Whenever you open the door of education, you close the door of prison, and I predict that in Nigerian prison today, no Ekiti child shall be there because you are educating them to know right from wrong and peace shall continue in Ekiti.
“Nobody in Ekiti shall engage in banditry because you have given them quality education, the product they need to go through life,” Akpabio asserted.
The Senate President made a case for the construction of Ado-Ijan Ekiti Road along the new Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, saying it would enhance access to the airport, boost economic activities, and facilitate the movement of goods and services.
“I hereby direct that the road from the airport must be appropriated for and be done before my next visit. We cannot have the best brain here, the best education facilities and not the best roads.
Furthermore, Akpabio said Bamidele was deserving of the award, going by his outstanding contributions to national development and his support for education and youth empowerment.
He also lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his cordial relationship with members of the National Assembly, which continues to yield positive results for the state.
Earlier, Governor Oyebanji said his government remained committed to repositioning education to empower youths.
The governor observed that EKSU has consistently produced graduates who are well-equipped to compete in the global arena.
“The Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, is no doubt a worthy son of Ekiti, who has distinguished himself, not only in Ekiti but across the globe. He has made significant contributions to the development of education and invested in youth development through different initiatives. Just recently, the Bill for the Establishment of a University of Technology and Environmental Studies in Iyin-Ekiti, which he sponsored, was assented to by the President. This is another addition to his long-time investment in education, youth development and other interventions.
“This administration is committed to sustaining the ongoing investment in all our educational institutions by providing them with the necessary resources and support to excel,” Oyebanji said.
In his address, the Pro-Chancellor and chairman of the university council, Prof. Akin Oyebode, praised Oyebanji for his efforts at improving the quality of education.
Oyebode assured that the governing council will continue to work with the university management to raise the bar of excellence and register the university as a brand of global reckoning.
Delivering his address, the Vice Chancellor of EKSU, Prof. Joseph Ayodele, said Oyebanji’s upward review of monthly subvention to the institution has helped to defray the outstanding salaries and accumulated allowances serving as a morale booster to staff and promotes stable academic calendar in the institution.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, said the honour would motivate them to further dedicate themselves to the advancement of education and national development.
