Future of education: Soun of Ogbomoso to hold education summit, launch education trust fund

Future of education: Soun of Ogbomoso to hold education summit, launch education trust fund

Yinka ADETUNJI

As part of his 25 year-development agenda, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, is set to hold an education summit on September 9, 2025.

The event which will hold at The Great Hall, LAUTECH, is being packaged by the education committee of the Oba’s 25 year-development plan.

According to a letter inviting schools to the summit signed by Prof Segun Ajiboye, Rev’d Niyi Adebayo and Comrade Taiwo Adewole, educational advancement is preeminent in the schedule of activities of the monarch.

“The Chief Convener, His Imperial Majesty. Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, Soun of Ogbomomoland in his 25-Year Developmental Plan for Ogbomosoland places education on the front burner.”

Inviting principals, teachers and students (three to five students per school), the letter noted other stakeholder such as educators, policymakers, teachers and industry leaders would be at the event ”to discuss the future of education in Ogbomosoland.”

Themed “Community participation in education in Ogbomosoland,” the summit, it’s stated, will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, interactions, and workshops. Topics such as challenges facing education in our community, innovations in education, community partnerships in education and so on are to be dwelt upon.

Also, an Education Trust Fund to support the development of education across the 5 local government areas of Ogbomosoland will be launched that day.

Recall Soun has been insistent on creation of a greater Ogbomoso with education, economy, job creation, agriculture, culture and so on occupying a prime place in the agenda conceptualised in the 25 year-development plan.

The Oba has announced scholarships for students with best WAEC and NECO results and for those who scored above three hundred in the UTME just as he promised a prize of ₦1m for each of three schools with best WAEC/NECO results henceforth.

”In the nearest future we want our children to be at the decision making tables and not standing at the doors as messengers, and the way to achieve that is if our children are well educated.” That is the motivation of Oba Olaoye’s pivotal initiatives in education.