…donates two buses to FUTES, Govt Science College, Iyin Ekiti
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, has completed the comprehensive renovation of Government Science College, Iyin-Ekiti, within six weeks, with a commitment to commence a second phase covering laboratories, library facilities and additional classrooms.
Bamidele disclosed this on Thursday during an inspection of the completed first phase of the project, saying the intervention was motivated by his belief that a solid educational foundation was essential to producing future professionals and leaders.
He said Government Science College should be developed into a centre where students would acquire the skills, knowledge and character needed to surpass the achievements of the present generation.
The Senate Leader explained that the renovation became necessary following the approval granted by the Ekiti State Government for the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences (FUTES), Iyin-Ekiti, to use the permanent site of the secondary school for its take-off.
He said unforeseen circumstances, including torrential rainfall, disrupted the initial arrangement, making it necessary to protect the interests of the secondary school students while upgrading their learning environment.
According to him, he subsequently appealed to the state government for a six-week window during the students’ vacation to undertake the renovation, stressing that the first phase was completed within the agreed period.
The facilities renovated under the first phase include the boys’ and girls’ hostels, administrative block, classrooms, dining hall and kitchen.
Bamidele stressed that the intervention would not end with the first phase, explaining that the second phase would cover laboratories, libraries and other specialised facilities, while additional classroom blocks would also be constructed where the available land permits.
He described the project as a demonstration of respect for the Ekiti State Government as an institution, while commending Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his support and cooperation.
The Senate Leader noted that collaboration between government and well-meaning individuals could produce lasting benefits for the education sector and improve learning outcomes for students.
On the poor access road to the school, Bamidele said he had discussed the matter with Governor Oyebanji and assured the school community of immediate palliative works through grading, pending the execution of a major federal road project planned to pass through the area.
In her remarks, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Bimpe Aderiye, commended Bamidele for the intervention, describing it as a model of effective partnership between government and individuals.
Aderiye assured that the state government would sustain the payment of running grants to schools and ensure proper monitoring and maintenance of the renovated facilities.
Also speaking, the first Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, commended Bamidele for bringing to reality an initiative conceived during his administration.
Bamidele said his ultimate objective was to help build a school capable of producing future engineers, medical doctors, pharmacists, scientists and other professionals who would contribute meaningfully to the development of Ekiti State and Nigeria.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of two buses, with one donated to Government Science College, Iyin-Ekiti, and the other to the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti.
