New boss takes over at TESCOM Ogbomoso, told, ‘prepare to step on toes’
Femi OGUNLANA
Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Ogbomoso zonal office, Oja-tuntun, welcomed a new helmsman Wednesday, to take over from Pastor Olatunde Suulola, who retired March 27 as Permanent Secretary – Tutor General (TG).
The new boss, Prince Olasubomi Adedoyin, is however taking over as Head of Zone (HOZ), or as his immediate predecessor, Suulola preferred to address him, Acting Tutor General.
Until his elevation Prince Adedoyin was principal of Owode Community Grammar School, Ogbomoso.
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A former chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ogo-Oluwa local government, Adedoyin will oversee the 85 public secondary schools in Ogbomoso zone.
A brief service was organized to usher him into the office attended by several dignitaries and stakeholders in the education sector among whom are Pastor Suulola (who made a surprise appearance all the way from Oyo, his hometown); Chief Moses Olayiwola Ogunniyi, one time HOZ and who led the Elders Forum of Ogbomoso TESCOM to the event; Prince Lekan Olawuyi, a retired principal and prominent member of the Elders Forum; Comrade Francis Ogunlowo, also a retired principal; and Mr. Sunday Ayinla, also a former principal.
Some others are serving principals including Mrs. Bosede Olufunke Oke, incumbent chairperson All Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, Ogbomoso zone, and the other four local chairmen in the zone i.e. Mr. Tunde Alapo (Oriire), Mr. Ezekiel Ojo (Surulere), Mr. Jacob Fadipe (Ogo-Oluwa) and Mr. S. Alamu (Ogbomoso North).
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Also, Comrade Tunde Oladapo, NUT chairman Ogbomoso North and who represented Ogbomoso chairman, Wale Oke; chairman Non-academic Staff Union (NASU), Ogbomoso zone, Comrade Sunday Adeyanju; Prince Totoola Adedoyin; and Mr. Adeniran Adetunji, Officer-in-Charge Vehicle Inspection Officer Ogbomoso zone, graced the occasion.
Delivering an exhortation titled, “Commit your way to the Lord,” and with text taken from Proverbs 16: 1-7, Rev’d. Dr. John Fatunbi of Oja-Oba Baptist Church, enjoined Prince Adedoyin on three things – to trust in God, always consult God before taking important decisions in the face of multiple advices and to let God always lead him.
Rev’d. Fatunbi advised, “You are now the most reverred officer among teachers in Ogbomoso zone, so, be careful how you eat outside, and don’t bring ridicule to these people. Don’t be haughty in your sight, it is only by mercy you are there, it is not that you are better than others.”
Urging support for him, he said, “My brother, be faithful; be faithful to your bosses in the state, be faithful to the people you are leading, be faithful to yourself and be faithful to your family. If you want to please God in this assignment you must step on toes.”
Suulola, who disclosed he attended the event because “Prince Adedoyin is significant to me,” urged that people should allow him to work if they want him to succeed.
He also emphasized, “You must step on toes, without caring about the bad things they will say about you. You don’t need to worry as long as you are doing what your bosses in the state want.”
Suulola also charged, “Don’t allow sycophants around you, prepare for insults, that way you will succeed.
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He then urged Adedoyin to be wary of gifts which he noted could be a bribe to wangle unmerited favour, be more prayerful when he is taking decisions and be conscious of eating and drinking freely in public, pointing out, “there are many who covet that seat, so, you have to be careful.”
Chief Ogunniyi while congratulating the new HOZ reminded him time flies and that he would also sooner than later join the league of elders in the profession.
Ogunniyi then admonished, “Be wary of dancing to the tune of everybody. Rather, dance to the tune of God and of yourself, let your judgement be based on God’s direction and be humble,” while maintaining the seat Adedoyin would be occupying is hot, “It is a tough place, be ready to stand on your own and allow God to lead you.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Director of Personnel, TESCOM, Ogbomoso, Dr O.T. Oladele, posited the new helmsman’s arrival signifies a “renewed sense of enthusiasm and commitment to the mission and goals that bind us together,” expressing confidence positive changes will be accomplished, “Your reputation precedes you, and we are eager to witness the positive impacts your leadership will undoubtedly have on TESCOM Ogbomoso zone.”
Adedoyin, a former ANCOPSS zonal chairman and state’s vice chairman, in his remark, attributed his elevation to grace of God while urging everyone to support and cooperate with him.
An associate of Adedoyin who spoke under conditions of anonymity meanwhile revealed to ogbomosoinsightonline.com that Adedoyin faced a lot of challenges before he was appointed to the position.
“Several frivolous damaging petitions started flying to Ibadan, (to the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency, OYACA and others), authored by faceless people when it became obvious that as the next in line he would be appointed but thank God he surmounted all hurdles; then surprisingly, few days to his collection of appointment letter, clashes broke out among students in the vicinity of his school, the development threatening to indict him, as the situation was reported quickly to the Commissioner for Education without the conspirators conducting proper and adequate findings but thank God some of the culprits were apprehended fortuitously by teachers of his school and it was discovered that most of them were students of other schools and miscreants dressed in the uniform of his school. The conspiracies were therefore exposed,” the enthused associate said.
