The Federal Government (FG} of Nigeria has been called upon to take advantage of the infrastructural opportunities and assets of Upland College of Education to jump start economic and entrepreneurial growth of the country and Ondo state in particular.
Dr. Folorunso Balogun, Chairman governing council, of the college,which is located in Ifira-Ipesi Akoko Ondo State,made this call during the 2018-2023 convocation of the college, as he revealed that the Upland College of Education is endowed with resources and assets which could be tapped into by the federal government to strengthen research, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and other entrepreneurial initiatives to further strengthen the country’s economy.
The Chairman is confident that a lot could be tapped from the college’s assets, which include about 72 hectares of arable land, of which more than 50 per cent remained used and undeveloped.
“This is why we are calling on the federal government and private individual to come to this school and invest” said Dr. Balogun.
Upland College of Education governing Council Chairman called on the federal government to beam its focus on the College for developmental investment initiatives, in tandem with the college’s focus on enhancing the wellbeing of Nigerians through abundant food availability to be driven by agriculture and agriculture products value chain.
“Government, Balogun said “can come and invest in agriculture here, because we are looking forward to feeding Nigeria through our agriculture scheme, this is quickly to say that the private investors should come and get us tractors, bulldozer, fertilizer and more of these will go a long way in reducing the stress of those of our students who want to read agricultural education as their Core course.
"One big challenge we are also facing is internet facility, it take us much resources to pull our students out of the institute to other neighbouring village for their ICT courses. Internet provider and network communication outlet should come here and erect one (mask) here, for lack of internet e-learning is very difficult in this institute.
Even though upland college of education happens to be the best private college of education in Nigeria, we want to beg the federal government to also add TETFUND benefits to the direction of private institute in Nigeria because it is the same Nigeria children that are also attending those schools.
The Asiwaju of Idoani Kingdom, Otunba Olakunle Olusegun,who is a former Principal of Kings College, Lagos in his address, advised this new government to look at the problems facing Nigeria, and look for the possible solutions in solving them.
“There should be no blame games now, the right People should be appointed in this direction, if we must get it right’ he counselled.
The CEO of the college, Professor Kayode Sunday thanked God for spearing his life to experience the college’s 2018-2019 convocation.
“The very year the certificate of the institute was issued to me was the same year I had a terrible accident that confined me in the hospital for two good years. This is what I have been praying for and it has come to pass, for the graduating student I am proud of them because of the Entrepreneurship, moral and academic progress they have obtained from this institute, I know they will be able to adjust properly into the society", he said.
Prominent personalities were awarded among whom are Hon. Adejoro Adeogun, member federal house of representatives, Representing Akoko, South East/South West constituency, who singlehandedly paid tuition fees of over 500 students.
Others are Member, Ogun State House of Assembly, representing Ado Ado Ota Constituency, Hon. Musefiu Olatunji Lamidi, former National Secretary of Labour party, former Chairman, Ondo State Radio Vision Corporation and the Mayekun of Oodua, Bar. (Dr) Olukayode Ajulo,
Also awarded were, the principal, Kings College, Lagos, former Director in the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, former supervising director, South West, Federal Polytechnics and Federal College of Education and the Asiwaju of Idoani Land, Otunba Olusegun Oladele; and former chairman, Ondo State West Management Board; first executive chairman, Akoko South East LGA and the Asiwaju of Epinmi Land, Chief Bailey Arohunmolase.
