Paseda Legacy Foundation has promised to promote academic excellence at all levels in Ogun State.
The Executive Chairman of the Foundation, and the Ogun State UPN governorship candidate in 2015 general elections, Otunba Rotimi Paseda said he identifies challenges facing teaching and learning in the 21st century, saying he has decided to support the sector through scholarships and grants to brilliant, but indigent students.
Paseda who spoke at the weekend while on inspection tour of the coaching centres of the ongoing Free Holiday Coaching organized by his Foundation in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, emphasized that promoting the culture of healthy rivalry among students through debates and quiz competitions across the three senatorial districts of Ogun State would bolster the intellectual knowledge of Nigerian students.
He stressed that, the Foundation would also be funding academic research works, as plans are under way to sign a partnership agreement with some notable international NGOs on leadership training.
He therefore, blamed the lopsided appointments made by the government in recent past on the poor record in the sector.
The businessman cum politician also berated Ogun State government for poor funding of the educational system in the state despite taking large chunk of its budget.
According to Paseda, if government could divert more resources into education, the dwindling economy of the country would be revamped.
He however emphasized that the ongoing free holiday coaching across the State is not for political gain but to instill moral values among the future generations.
Paseda who took swipe at the Ogun State government berated how hurriedly and embarrassingly the state government jumped at the bandwagon and organized its “customised” holiday coaching which barely attracted 182 children across the State after seeing his initiative.
He also lampooned the State Government, saying “Our government has indeed megally failed our children and people. Paseda free coaching is here to stay right through till 2019 and beyond God willing”.
He therefore urged all stakeholders to contribute to the growth of the sector.
He said, “since the beginning of the ongoing free holiday coaching, I have not been opportuned to attend the lessons, so that was why I’ve been going round to advice the students on values of education.
“I will blame the federal government on the rot in the education sector because of the political appointments in the sector which has bastardised the system.
“There’s need to urgently declare state of emergency in the sector and allow professionals to manage the affairs of education in the country.
“If proper funds were harnessed into the sector, I can assure you that our economy would have improved better than this”.
Paseda free holiday coaching has attracted over 10, 000 indigent students across the 20 local governments of Ogun State.