Makinde applauds Bola Ige’s education policy

*Pledges to build on legacy   

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has lauded the education policy of one of his predecessors and former Attorney General of the federation, late Chief Bola Ige, saying the policy motivated many people who never had a chance of education to go back to school to gain access to a better future.

He spoke at the 2019 Akinjide Adeosun Foundation (AAF) colloquium – Chapter four, held recently in Lagos, where he described the late Ige as his best ever serving leader and pledged to continue the former governor’s policy of free and qualitative education in Oyo state. He noted that Ige implemented the policy during his tenure between 1979 and 1983, saying he would also build on the policy which he had already revived since he assumed office as the state governor in May 2019.On the theme of the colloquium, “Leadership by example,” he said with the right kind of leadership, Nigeria could rise again. 

According to him, for a nation to have followership problem, it must first have a leadership problem.  Leadership by example includes transparency, accountability, open and honest communication, taking responsibility, finding working solutions and ability to listen attentively. 

Also renowned educationist and Founder, Brook House, Lekki, Lagos, Mrs. Ifueko Thomas, who spoke on “Leadership by example: The school perspective,” quoted John C. Maxwell’s definition of a leader as someone “who knows the way to go and shows the way,” adding that the most powerful tool available for a leader is personal example.

She described teachers as role models because students tend to copy them. “The teacher’s entire personality is a reflection on the minds of the students,” she noted.Ifueko advised parents to also set good examples for their children through their own personalities saying children are great imitators, “So, give them something good to imitate.”

Chairman, AAF, Mr. Akinjide Adeosun, said the event was aimed at promoting good leadership culture in the country by “strengthening the capabilities of today’s leaders and building a pipeline of ready future leaders by 2030.”In his presentation titled the 3 Cs of leadership  – capability, character and communication, Adeosun said to lead by example, such leader must be capable, espouse strong positive character and must be an avid communicator.