Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring every child of school age in the state has access to quality education. He revealed that the cancellation of the N3,000 school fees in public schools has led to the return of over 80,000 out-of-school children.
The governor made this known while serving as Chairman of the occasion at the launch of a memoir titled “Defying Expectations: My Story of Perseverance From Conductor to Journalist”, written by Musliudeen Adebayo, Oyo State Correspondent of the DAILY POST. The event, held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Ibadan, also marked Adebayo’s 40th birthday.
Makinde praised the author for his resilience, describing him as a symbol of hope, hard work, and humility. He noted that Adebayo’s life journey—from working as a bus conductor to becoming a journalist—mirrors the values his administration upholds in its education policies.
Highlighting achievements in the sector, the governor stated that apart from removing school fees, his administration is rehabilitating 205 public schools and has employed over 20,000 teachers to enhance educational outcomes.
“The goal is simple—no child in Oyo State should be left behind. We are committed to taking our people from poverty to prosperity through education,” Makinde declared, pledging to support Adebayo and others pursuing their dreams despite humble beginnings.
Also speaking at the event, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, represented by his media adviser, praised the book as a compelling story of perseverance, urging the youth to draw inspiration from it.
Dr. Adebukola Kadiri, CEO of Eternal Home Cemetery and mother of the day, encouraged underprivileged children to embrace hard work and avoid shortcuts like internet fraud. She emphasized that discipline, faith, and perseverance could lead to success regardless of background.
The guest lecturer, Dr. Bayo Busari, spoke on “Redirecting Youthful Energy Towards Positive Self and National Development,” stressing the transformative power of education in combating youth unemployment and promoting societal growth.
In his remarks, the author, Musliudeen Adebayo, shared that the book chronicles his life from being an orphan and working at CMS Park in Lagos to eventually earning a university degree. He called on both state and federal governments to adopt the book as a recommended reading in secondary schools to inspire perseverance and resilience among students.
The event was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Minister of Power Chief Adebayo Adelabu (represented), the Olubadan of Ibadanland (represented), NUJ Chairman Ademola Babalola, Professor Rahman Akinoso who reviewed the book, and several religious leaders, journalists, family members, and well-wishers.
