'l almost turned building into event centre' - Niyi Adebayo, as Soun inaugurates Zoe's CBT Centre

‘l almost turned building into event centre’ – Niyi Adebayo, as Soun inaugurates Zoe’s CBT Centre

Femi OGUNLANA

The Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, Wednesday, commissioned the ICT centre of Zoe Schools Ogbomoso Oyo state.

The commissioning ceremony attended by traditional rulers, chiefs, eminent personalities and officials of West African Examination Council (WAEC), Joint Admission and Matriculation Examination (JAMB) and National Examination Council (NECO) was described as an “history-making event,” and as “dawn of new era in education in Ogbomosoland.”

Rev’d Niyi and Pastor Grace Adebayo

The CBT centre is regarded as timely in view of the decision of the federal government to transit the conduct of external exams in secondary schools into computer-based test as from 2026.

Recall JAMB has been conducting its UTME in CBT mode. However, only Ladoke Akintola University of Technology LAUTECH has CBT centre in Ogbomoso which is inadequate for the number of candidates produced annually in the city thus students are compelled to go to neighbouring cities like Ilorin, Oyo and Iseyin to write the JAMB exam. With the pronouncement of WAEC and NECO to also migrate to CBT, genuine concerns were raised as to what the fate of students in the community would be.

But that burden has been eased by this Zoe’s feat. With its existing 150-capacity CBT centre which has been hosting CBWASSCE the new 500 centre makes the school boasts a 650-capacity centre noted by the proprietor Rev’d Niyi Adebayo as “one of the largest around,” and “as the biggest privately owned CBT centre in Nigeria” according to the submission of the representative of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Ogbomoso branch.

In his remark, the Soun expressed joy at the milestone saying he bought land to build a CBT centre when he learned Ogbomoso suffered inadequate number of CBT centres.

JAMB zonal director

He however disclosed he dropped the idea after he learnt that Rev’d Adebayo had similar dream. “I am happy today and full of joy for what Rev’d Niyi Adebayo has done. When l first came and l heard one of our children had accident in a journey between Ogbomoso and Oyo for JAMB l was at a loss. I don’t understand the school system and so, l asked what were they going to do at Oyo and l was told it was to sit for UTME. Why Oyo? And I was told there was no centre in Ogbomoso aside LAUTECH and that it is inadequate, that they either go to Oyo or Iseyin. I considered that as a disrespect to me, my domain not having CBT centre.”

The older Mama Adebayos

Oba Olaoye disclosed that fueled his desire to set up a CBT centre and subsequently bought land for the purpose but discontinued it after he learnt of Adebayo’s similar dream.

The Adebayos with Pastor Mrs Florence Adebayo

“I bought a land to erect a CBT centre in Ogbomoso. The land is there. But we were discussing one day and Rev’d Niyi mentioned he was embarking on similar thing. So, l said l can’t be competing with you, go ahead l will support you, we are not in competition with ourselves but to complement ourselves. So, l am so happy today that we have this in Ogbomoso.”

Kabiyesi assured great things would continue to spring up in Ogbomoso in accordance with his 25 year-development plan remarking this is just the beginning. “We just started, we have a long way to go. There are many things that will be a first in Ogbomoso. We are doing these things for our people.”

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He informed the various committees of his 25 year-development plan are rising to the challenge with various programmes lined up for the remainder of the year.

“In October the Economic Committee will host Ogbomoso Economic Summit to be attended by the Honourable Minister for Trade and Investment. In November the Health Committee will have a free medical programme that will be served by 100 doctors and nurses, with about 5000 people expected to benefit. And in December the Cultural Committee will unfold the second edition of the Cradles Carnival.”

He affirmed the committees have started to make Ogbomoso what it should be and that it will work. He noted, “Even if it is only one person that believes in what we are doing myself and that person will do it.”

The paramount ruler reiterated his being in the position was not driven by cupidity for wealth but to serve his town and make it a model. “I am not after wealth, l am in my legacy years, and l am concerned about leaving legacies that will be unforgettable. This town deserves a legacy. We will make Ogbomosoland a model city that will not seek to be like others but one which others will aspire to be like. We are going to be unlike any. I am unapologetic for the development of Ogbomoso. Great things will rise from this town, we will achieve unprecedented things. This won’t be the last one. Rev’d Niyi has done what many will emulate.”

In his welcome address earlier, Rev’d Adebayo said conducting computer-based test is not new in Zoe Schools that they have done it for years.

He applauded Oba Ghandi for his support in bringing the vision to reality disclosing the Oba consistently egged him on.

“When you have a father you will go further. I almost turned this place into an event centre. But the encouragement of Kabiyesi kept us on. His Imperial Majesty is the motivator-in-chief of the project. It took us 8 months to accomplish it,” Rev’d Adebayo who is also the founder and lead pastor of True Worshippers Church Oke-Anu said.

The zonal director of JAMB Mrs. Temitope Akintola, described the centre as of international standard, adding, “We appreciate the director of the school, we thank God we have something like this on ground,” she said as she commended Oba Olaoye for supporting developmental initiatives.

Other dignitaries at the event are Alajaawa of Ajaawa HRM Oba Thompson Adeyeye Oyetunji Olumole 1; the Areago of Ogbomosoland High Chief Sobalaje Otolorin; the Abese of Ogbomosoland, High Chief Kasali Oladipupo; Onipakiotan of Pakiotan, Oba James Oyetunji; Alabaa of Abaa Oba John Ayanpoju; Onikose of Ikose, Oba James Ilufoye; Alaroje of Aroje Chief Oyedola Sulaiman; Oniyaku of Yaku; and Bobajiro Pakiotan, Chief Babatunde Jesuniyi.

Some others are officials from JAMB, NECO, WAEC and TRCN; education officials from the Oyo state ministry of education including the two permanent secretaries/inspector general of education Ogbomoso zones 1 and 2, Dr Dele Oyedokun and Mr. Biodun Adisa respectively, directors, local inspectors of education and others; Alhaji Abdulrasheed Ayinla (CEO Ragaray Executive Suites); and members of Ogbomoso education committee represented by Mr. Gboye Otunla.

Also in attendance are Hon Remi Odetomi (former chairman of Ogbomoso South local government); Engr Samson Adeniran Samfad; Imam Aafin Soun Sheikh Habeeb Tijani Ayilara; the chaplain of the palace, Rev’d Samuel Owoade; Rev’d Debo Adeyemo General Overseer of House to House Prayer Ministries; Bishop of Anglican Diocese Ogbomoso RT. Rev’d Dr. Titus Olayinka (represented); Pastor Mrs. Florence Alao-Akala; Engr Dr Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ayede (represented by the librarian); Mr. Hamzat Fajoye (on behalf of parents); and representative of NAPPS.