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Senator Arise explains his role in establishing Federal University Oye-Ekiti
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Senator Arise explains his role in establishing Federal University Oye-Ekiti

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Senator Ayo Arise explained his role in facilitating the establishment of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE).
  • He initiated the process following a 2010 presidential announcement to create new federal universities.
  • Arise detailed his engagements with education ministers and officials to secure Oye-Ekiti as the university's location.

Senator Ayo Arise, who represented Ekiti North Senatorial District from 2007 to 2011, has clarified his instrumental role in the establishment of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE). He stated that he facilitated the university's creation through direct engagements with the Federal Government.

President Jonathan announced on November 28, 2010, that the Federal Government would establish six new universities in states without federal universities.

— Ayo AriseRecalling the initial announcement that prompted his efforts to secure a federal university for Oye-Ekiti.

Arise initiated the process after President Goodluck Jonathan announced plans in November 2010 to establish six new federal universities in states lacking such institutions. The senator emphasized that claims crediting others with FUOYE's establishment do not accurately reflect his efforts to ensure Oye-Ekiti became its permanent site.

Following the presidential announcement on November 28, 2010, Arise promptly wrote to the Minister of Education, requesting that one of the proposed universities be located in Oye-Ekiti. He was advised by the Permanent Secretary, Professor Oladapo Afolabi, to present his case to the then Minister of State for Education, Kenneth Gbagi. Arise met with Gbagi, along with Professor Peter Okojie of the National Universities Commission and Professor Mahmood Yakubu of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, who confirmed Oye-Ekiti as a chosen location.

The following day, I wrote to the Minister of Education through the ministry’s then Permanent Secretary, Professor Oladapo Afolabi, requesting that one of the proposed universities be established in Oye-Ekiti.

— Ayo AriseDetailing the first official step he took to advocate for Oye-Ekiti's inclusion.

Arise acknowledged Femi Ajayi, a former Director-General of the NDLEA, as a supportive figure who assisted in conveying his messages to President Jonathan due to their existing relationship. He also recognized the contribution of former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi in resolving land and location-related issues concerning the university's establishment.

Gbagi subsequently indicated that Oye-Ekiti had been identified as one of the locations for the proposed universities, alongside Otuoke.

— Ayo AriseConfirming the positive outcome of his discussions with education officials.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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