Adebayo Adenrele
…calls for funds redirection to student bursaries
…hails Oyebanji’s giant strides in education sector
The Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union (FESSU) has criticised the Ekiti State House of Assembly (EKHA) over Canada trip costing over N250 million.
Addressing Press Conference on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, the President of the Association, Benjamin Onileowo described the trip as ill-conceived and insensitive to the pressing issues affecting the livelihood of the common man.
Onileowo raised this concern while marking the 6-month anniversary of his administration, alleging that the seven-day trip would cater for 18 members, 5 spouses, and 4 aides.
He noted that the fund if redirected to educational sector, would cover N50,000 bursary for over 5,000 students of the state in their respective constituencies.
He said, “As Nigeria continues to grapple with significant economic challenges that have impacted all sectors negatively especially education.
“It must be stated emphatically that we consider the said self-sponsored Canada trip planned by the Ekiti State House of Assembly as ill-conceived. This is not the time for such an endeavour, especially when the state requires the support of every stakeholder to address pressing issues affecting the livelihood of the common man and to salvage our education sector.
“Our lawmakers plan to spend over N250 million to travel overseas for seven days with 18 members, 5 spouses, and 4 aides, totally 27 people.
“We condemn this move and call for re-evaluation of such action. N250 million could provide a N50,000 bursary for over 5,000 students of Ekiti State in their respective constituencies”.
FESSU hailed the giants of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in education sector, especially the digitalisation of the Ekiti State Bursary and Scholarship Application Process, stressing that the initiative has brought significant relief to students, reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks and constraints associated with the previous process.
The association also called for an immediate reversal of the mandatory N280,000 hostel charge imposed by the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital College of Nursing Sciences, Ado-Ekiti, saying under no circumstances should any student pay beyond N100,000 each for a small-size room shared by four persons.