Osun education policy has rescued youths from possible bleak future – NAPS
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) on Friday described Osun education policy as one of the best in the world going by its multifarious successes recorded in the last seven years of introduction.
The leadership of the association also lauded the State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for being pragmatic and relentless in investing greatly in the future generations through the provision of quality education.
The Regional President, West African Polytechnic Students Union, (WAPSU), Ambassador Salawudeen Lukman stated this during the Official Investiture as Grand Patron and Presentation of National Outstanding Leadership Award to Mr. Governor by the National Executive Council Members of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), at Government House, Osogbo.
The award, according to the association, was bestowed on Aregbesola as an icon of hope in public service and in recognition of his incomparable commitment to good governance and strong passion for youth in technical and vocational education development as well as for his great efforts in nation building.
Addressing the ‎gathering, Ambassador Lukman commended Governor Aregbesola for investing greatly in the education sector, saying the association was aware of the successes which his administration had recorded in the last seven years.
He said Osun under Aregbesola’s watch had surpassed the expectations of the world towards the institutionalization of good governance, noting that Osun government remains one of the few states in Nigeria where education has been given the required attention.
According to him, “Since your emergence as the Governor of Osun, you have given us due honour to prove to us that truly you are a product of a good polytechnic education.
“This is the reason for us to resolve on the need to bestow on you the leadership award which we deemed fit based on your achievements and your pragmatic leadership which are incomparable in the history of government and governance in the country.
“You remained one of the few Governors in the entire 36 states of the federation who have invested so much in the future generation. You have rescued us from the unforeseen stake of the future, particularly in education.
“Your outstanding performance had depicted and showcased to the whole world that products of polytechnics are not only competent to govern but are ambassadors of good governance.
“You have surpassed the expectations of the world, considering your background as a product of polytechnic and for this singular reason; we are openly identify with you and celebrate you.
“We are keenly aware of your tremendous impacts in this state as it is on records that the developmental projects which your administration brought to the state would continue to be an ever-lasting legacy for the present and future generations.
“It is only in Osun that the first ever tablet of knowledge popularly called “Opon-Imo” was introduced which has become a model for others in the education sector. We understand the fact that your administration’s social protection programmes which brought school feeding programme (O’MEALS) are initiatives that had never been beaten anywhere.
“We are here to take your autograph to be boldly written on our bodies so as to carry such message of hope to our colleagues that as polytechnic students, the sky is just the stepping stone to success, particularly in governance.
“It is not an overstatement to say that the whole world has seen your exemplary performance in turning around Osun and therefore you can change the nation if given the chance.
“Our visit to Osun has once again exposed us to many infrastructure facilities that were not here before you came as we pray to God to give you a successor that will equally be a man of intellect, foresight and one that will carry on with the projects you have laboured for as well as the foundation you have laid”, he stressed.
Speaking on the significance of the award given to Mr Governor, Lukman said “we have bestowed on you the leadership award which is the first of its kind since we came on board. We did this having accessed your official and unofficial performances which are outstanding among your peers.
“We have also conferred on you the grand patron of Nigerian Association of Polytechnic Students. You have delivered, you have performed, and you have made us proud in such a way that the entire world could testify to your legacies in all areas”.
In his remarks, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, expressed profound gratitude to NAPS leadership for the extreme recognition given to his personality, saying “this will further encourage my step to strengthening democracy and good governance”.
‎He promised not to relent in his efforts at redeeming lost education’s glory by sustaining the policies that will magnify free basic education on which his administration had invested largely since assumption of office.
While assuring his administration’s support towards the elimination of palpable dichotomy between the university and polytechnic graduates, Aregbesola said his government was ready to support any cause that will give due recognition to polytechnic certificates.
