pannigeriannews 
By Sunday Adepoju
When history of Ogbomosoland’s renaissance is written, the just-concluded Ogbomoso Education Summit will undoubtedly occupy a strategic place. It was the first of its kind, a gathering that brought together eminent personalities in education, critical stakeholders, teachers, lecturers, proprietors of private schools, principals, headmasters and headmistresses, students, artisans, market people, traditional rulers, and even farmers. It was, in essence, a community coming together to secure its future through education.
At the heart of the summit which held at the popular The Great Hall of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, was His Imperial Majesty (HIM), Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, whose 25-year development agenda places education at the centre of Ogbomoso’s long-term growth. His vision is clear: without strong educational foundations, no society can truly prosper.
Speaking at the summit, Oba Olaoye said, “Education has always been the bedrock of human civilisation. It is through learning that communities rise, families break the cycle of poverty, and nations find their place in the comity of great powers. Ogbomoso, blessed as we are, has always been a land that values education.
“From the pioneering days of our fathers who invested their sweat and scare resources to send their children to school, to the emergence of our proud institution like LAUTECH, Ogbomoso has stood firm as a beacon of learning and scholarship.
“The world around us is changing at a pace faster than ever before. Technology, innovation, and knowledge economies are redefining power and prosperity. In this new reality, education must go beyond classrooms, textbooks, and examinations. It must prepare our children not just to take jobs, but to make decisions; not just to consume knowledge, but to create solutions.
“As the Soun of Ogbomosoland, I have long varried a vision in my heart: a vision where our young men and women are not kept at the periphery, but are seated bodly at the table where the future is being designed. We much open the door of leadership earlier. We must design our educational system to cultivate thinkers, innovators, and leaders, not passive learners. We must deliberately include our young ones in governance structures, in community boards, in business councils, and in conversations where major matters are discussed. Their creativity, their energy, and their fresh perspectives are treasures we cannot afford to waste.”
The summit was graced by some of the brightest minds and influential figures in Nigeria’s educational landscape. Professor Segun Ajiboye, immediate past Registrar of the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) and Chairman of the Education Committee of the Oba Ghandi-led development agenda, provided thought leadership.
Also present were respected educationists such as the Inspector-General of Education in Ogbomoso, the Tutor-General of Ogbomoso TESCOM Zonal Office, and a host of academics from Ogbomoso. From the institutional angle, the Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Hon. Yakubu Dati (FNIPR), and the institution’s Rector, Engr. Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed (FNSE), were present alongside other principal officers.
The Vice Chancellor of LAUTECH, Prof. Rasak Olatunde ROM Kalilu, led his team of principal officers. Significantly, the Proprietor of Adeleke University, Ede, himself a respected philanthropist and father of music star, Davido, demonstrated rare commitment by donating N100 million in support of Oba Olaoye’s education vision.
But beyond the roll call of dignitaries and pledges of support, the summit was about substance. Oba Ghandi Olaoye himself led discussions on identifying the persistent challenges facing education in Ogbomosoland and how to mobilise collective energy to solve them. Issues ranging from poor infrastructure, inadequate teacher training, and outdated curricula to community disengagement were brought to the fore.
The summit reaffirmed a timeless truth: education is the bedrock of development. Without a robust educational system, Ogbomoso cannot nurture the kind of human capital required for industrial, agricultural, and technological transformation.
However, summits and fine speeches will mean little unless they are followed by concrete action. That is the real test for Oba Ghandi and his committee. Goals have been set, expectations have been raised, and hope has been rekindled. It is now time for implementation.
My appeal is that Oba Olaoye should ensure that this summit does not end as a ceremonial gathering but becomes a launchpad for measurable change. The stakeholders must revisit, track, and report progress year after year.
Education is not the duty of one person or government alone. Teachers must be retrained regularly, with strict adherence to the updated curricula introduced by the Federal Government. Parents and guardians must re-embrace their roles as primary educators at home. Communities must provide moral and financial support to ensure children remain in school.
Government at all levels has an obligation to improve infrastructure, equip laboratories, and provide digital learning facilities that meet the demands of the 21st century. Private individuals and philanthropists must also continue to lend their support, just as seen at the summit.
Most importantly, I call on other traditional rulers across Yorubaland and Nigeria to take a cue from Oba Ghandi Olaoye. Traditional rulers are custodians of culture and leaders of people. If they champion education in their domains, the ripple effect will be profound.
The Ogbomoso Education Summit has opened a new chapter for the land. The presence of eminent stakeholders, the pledges of support, and the clear vision of Oba Ghandi are commendable. But the true measure of its success will be in the coming years, when Ogbomoso’s schools become models of excellence, when its youths become innovators and leaders, and when education becomes the pride of the community.
Oba Ghandi Olaoye has lit the torch; it is now up to all stakeholders to keep it burning.
….Adepoju is journalist and public relations practitioner.
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