Engr. Kayode Ojo

Dear Distinguished Ekiti State Teachers,

1. On this special occasion of Teachers’ Day, I extend my warmest greetings and deepest appreciation to you, the men and women who bear the noble responsibility of shaping the minds and futures of our children. Today is not only a day of celebration but also a moment of reflection on the invaluable role you play in building our society.

2. It has ben said severally that education is the bedrock of any meaningful development. No nation, no state, and no community can rise above the quality of its teachers and its educational system. This conviction is at the heart of my vision for Ekiti, and it is why education occupies a central place in my manifesto. I believe that the prosperity of our state depends on how well we invest in our teachers, our schools, and our children.

3. I am fully aware of the challenges you face daily. These include inadequate infrastructure, inadequate remuneration, poor general welfare conditions, and limited opportunities for professional growth. These challenges have, for too long, undermined the dignity of the teaching profession and weakened the foundation of our educational system. My commitment is to change this narrative by making education my foremost priority, alongside teachers.

4. In my manifesto, I have outlined a comprehensive plan to reposition education in Ekiti State. At the core of this plan is the welfare and empowerment of teachers. I intend to ensure that teachers at all levels, from primary to tertiary institutions, are adequately paid above what other teachers receive in any state in Nigeria. Salaries, allowances, Housing and car packages, and pensions will henceforth be matters of priority under my watch. Teachers deserve financial security and dignity, and under my leadership, this will be guaranteed.

5. Beyond remuneration, I will prioritise continuous professional development. Teaching is a dynamic profession that requires constant updating of knowledge and skills. I will establish regular training and retraining programmes, both locally and internationally, to expose our teachers to modern pedagogical methods, digital literacy, and global best practices. By doing so, we will not only improve the quality of teaching but also restore the pride of the teaching profession.

6. Infrastructure is another area where urgent intervention is required. Many of our schools are in deplorable condition, lacking basic facilities such as classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and ICT centres. My administration will embark on a massive programme of school rehabilitation and modernisation. Every child in Ekiti deserves to learn in a conducive environment, and every teacher deserves the tools and facilities to deliver quality education.

7. I also recognise the importance of technology in education. The world is moving rapidly into a knowledge economy, and our children must not be left behind. I will ensure that schools are equipped with functional ICT laboratories, internet access, and digital learning resources. Teachers will be trained to integrate technology into their teaching, thereby preparing our students for the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century.
8. Furthermore, I will strengthen the link between education and employment. Our curriculum will be reviewed to emphasise skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and vocational training. Teachers will be supported with resources to deliver practical, hands-on education that prepares students not only for examinations but also for life. This approach will reduce unemployment and empower our young people to become job creators rather than job seekers.

9. At the tertiary level, I will prioritise funding, research, and academic freedom. Lecturers and researchers will be supported to pursue innovative projects that address local and global challenges. I will also ensure that our universities and polytechnic, and other tertiary institutions are adequately funded and managed transparently, so that they can compete favourably with their counterparts across Nigeria and beyond. It is my priority to establish the Ekiti State Research Development Fund (EKDEFUND) to enhance the quality of research in the tertiary institutions in Ekiti State.

10. My vision for Ekiti is one where education is not treated as a sectoral issue but as the foundation of every other development agenda. Whether in health, agriculture, technology, or governance, education is the key that unlocks progress. This is why I have placed education at the centre of my plans for Ekiti. By investing in teachers and schools, we are investing in the future of our state.

11. On this Teachers’ Day, I salute your resilience, your sacrifice, and your unwavering commitment to the children of Ekiti. I assure you that under my leadership, your labour will not be in vain. Together, we will build an Ekiti where education is truly the pride of our people, where teachers are honoured and empowered, and where every child has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

Happy Teachers’ Day.

Engr. Kayode Ojo
5th October, 2025

I am delighted to share that I successfully completed the screening exercise to contest for the governorship election of Ekiti State. This marks another important step in our collective journey to build a more prosperous, inclusive, and progressive Ekiti.

With gratitude to God, appreciation to my supporters, and renewed commitment to serve, I look forward to the next phase of this democratic process. Together, we will make Ekiti greater.

TO A RARE MOTHER, OUR DEAR FIRST LADY, SEN. MRS. OLUREMI TINUBU, CON, HAPPY 65TH BIRTHDAY TO A BUILDER OF HUMANITY - ENGR. KAYODE OJO

Some come into people's lives as drags. Others come as destiny helpers. While some come into people's lives as parasites, others offer their shoulders for many to rise higher and even attain their purpose in life. While some come into people's lives as leeches or hangers-on, others come as harbingers of glad tiding and/or wellness.

Dear Mother of the Nation, in your case, over the years, you have been nothing short of a shade to many in dire straits. A cover of shame to many souls in their low moment. A problem-solver of immeasurable grandeur. A duvet to many under a shattering cold. And no less a true mother in all sense of motherhood.

Your humanitarian gestures and Midas touch are characteristic of your altruistic creature. You are one of the reasons many still believe that no matter how dark one's sky becomes, it will always fade away. You are a godmother with an overdose of humanity to the core. A cheerful giver of high repute - and a restorer of hope.

On this occasion of your 65th birthday, I, Engr. Kayode Ojo, a leading aspirant in the forthcoming Ekiti State gubernatorial primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), pray God increase you in stronger health and more divine wisdom to support Mr. President in his frantic efforts at leading Nigeria through her turbulent period into a viable and egalitarian nation with shared prosperity. Above all, may God continually sheathe and protect you against all evil machinations.

Happy birthday, our First Lady, as you begin the second ladder to your septuagenarian age.

ENGR. KAYODE OJO
Leading APC Guber Aspirant, EKITI State.

✨ Celebrating Excellence at UNN’s 54th Convocation Ceremony ✨

It was an honour to preside over the just concluded 54th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) a remarkable celebration of academic excellence, innovation and the enduring Lion spirit.

As we graduated yet another set of bright minds ready to shape Africa and the world, I was reminded of the critical role our great institution continues to play in nurturing future leaders and advancing knowledge.

A major highlight of my visit was a tour of the Institute of African Studies, where I had the privilege of viewing an incredible display of African monuments, cultural artifacts and timeless works of art. The collection is a testament to the richness of our heritage and the importance of preserving and promoting African history and identity.

I am proud of the strides UNN continues to make, not just in academics, but also in sustaining African cultural scholarship. Together, we will continue to position UNN as a beacon of learning, culture and global relevance.