Ekiti state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has inaugurated four visitation panels in its drive to reposition the educational institutions and the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES) in the state.
The visitation panels, which were set up through executive orders 002, 003, 004 and 005 were those of Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES); Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti and College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ijero Ekiti respectively.
Inaugurating the panels in governor’s office, Ado-Ekiti, Fayemi charged members to take proper review of the issues that have come up in past few years in the state adding that government constituted the panels because it did not want to act on hearsay from some quarters of the society.
The governor stressed the need for them to conduct a programme of evaluation of the philosophy and targets of the institutions and ensure that academic standard originally envisaged is not devalued.
He used the opportunity to assure the people that members of the panels are experts in their own rights with track records of expertise, excellence and integrity.
While assuring the members of the panel that every information they needed to succeed in their assignments would be released to them, the governor stressed the need for them to complete their assignment within the ambit of time given to them as well as ensure that their reports contain specific measurable recommendations that are implementable.
Fayemi said, “Rather than been arbitrary in some of the decision we had to take, we felt it will be best to have the experts, people who are experienced, people who are knowledgeable, people who are also driven by passion and excellence to help us review some of the issues that have come up in the course of the past few years in our state. We are in no doubt as to your experience, we are in doubt as to your knowledge and your passion for excellence in the areas we have requested you to serve.
“If you take time to look at the terms of reference of these panels which are set up in accordance with the statutes of the various institutions that we are examining, you will see that we are to ensure that this is a very comprehensive assignment. We are not just looking at the laws of the institution itself, you are looking at the management of the institution, financial, research, administration and so on.
“What is important is that your reports contain very specific measurable recommendations, not nebulous recommendations that are not implementable. It must be very very specific and it will be easy to hold us to account if we do not implement the recommendations that you have come up with.
“Every single information you require shall be provided, if its not provided, I shall take it up personally so that the excuse will not be we asked for audited account of 2012, we couldn’t get it because they did not provide it, that will not happen because each is in accordance with the law of the institution. Its my job to make it happen, you are actually representing me, you are not representing yourself and I will have to ensure that any information as may be necessary for the panels to perform is provided for you”.
For the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State, the governor said, “This is an institution that ran foul of the law which caused its closure by the Broadcasting Commission of Nigeria in order for it not to create crisis in the state. We have those who are in that panel to look into what led to this and how to guide against this in the future and how to try to insulate the broadcasting service from undue political infiltration. It is also important to at least ensure that the statute setting up that institution is adhered to to the best of the ability of its managers”.
Responding on behalf of other panel members, the Chairman of the visitation panel for Ekiti State University, Prof. Bode Asubiojo appreciated the governor for giving them the opportunity to serve and assured that they will do their best to achieve the desired result within the ambit of the time given to them.
The terms of reference for the panels on Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti and College of Education, Ikere Ekiti were to inquire into the level of implementation of the white paper on the last Visitation Panel Report in 2007; evaluate the leadership quality of the institutions in terms of the roles of the Governing Council, the Vice-Chancellor and other Principal Officers and examine the financial management of the institutions including Statutory Allocations and Internally Generated Revenue over the recommended period and determine whether it was in compliance with appropriate regulations, statutes, acts and laws of the institutions.
The panels are also expected to investigate the application of funds, particularly special grants, loans meant for specific projects in order to determine the status of such projects and their relevance for further funding; determine the adequacy or otherwise of staff and examine the quality of its staff development programmes and Examine the financial management of the institutions including Statutory Allocations and Internally Generated Revenue over the recommended period and determine whether it was in compliance with appropriate regulations and laws of the institutions among others.
The laws establishing the institutions provide that the Governor of Ekiti State has the right to undertake a visitation of the University or direct that such a visitation be conducted.
The terms of reference for the Fact –Finding Committee for the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES) are to examine the adherence of BSES to the broadcasting code of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission including the circumstances that led to the suspension of its license; examine the financial management of the BSES including Statutory Allocations and advise on its sustainability and determine the adequacy or otherwise of staff and examine the quality of its staff development programmes.
Members of the EKSU visitation panel are: Prof. Bode Asubiojo will serve as Chairman while Mr Jide Akinleye is the Secretary.
Other members of the panel are Mr. Ayo Ogunruku, Prof. Rufus Taiwo Akinyele, Prof. Femi Akinwumi and Dr. Femi Orebe.
Others are Dr. Hakeem Bakare, Engr. Akinwale Ayodeji, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana and Barri. Biodun Fasakin.
For the panel on College of Education, Ikere, Prof. Oluyemisi Obilade will serve as chairman while Mr Sola Ogunmiluyi is the Secretary.
Other members are Prof. Craig Obafemi, Prof. Kola Oladunmoye, Prof. Olumuyiwa Igbalajobi, Dr. Patrick Ajila, Dr. Femi Akinola and Mr. Ayo Aroge.
The fact-finding committee on BSES has Mr. Segun Omolayo as chairman while Alhaji Ibrahim Ganiyu is the secretary.
Members include Chief Biodun Akin Fasae, Mrs Sola Salako–Ajulo, Mr. Gbenga Ogunremi, Mrs Ronke Samo and Mr. Gbenga Aruleba.
Others are Mr Steve Alabi, Mr. Sam Oluwalana and Mr Tayo Ayegbusi.
The committee for the College of Health Sciencesand Technology has Prof. Sola Fasuba as chairman and Mr Bamidele Arowosola as Secretary.
Other members include Prof. Oluyemi Akinloye, Prof. Deborah Egunyomi, Dr (Mrs) Folakemi Falore, Mr Philip Amujo, Dr Sikiru Eniola and Dr Sunday Aniyi.
The four Panels are expected to submit their reports and recommendations to the Governor not later than December 10, 2018.
