Pastor Sunday Olufemi Agagu was born on 4th April, 1957 in Okitipupa, Ondo State. He graduated from University of Ife, Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria) in 1982, with a Second Class Upper Division. He obtained his M.Sc. degree in Estate Management in 1987 from the same University. On graduation, he won the J.A. Oluwatudimu prize for the Best Graduating Student of his Department. Professionally, he is a Corporate Member of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV). After his NYSC in 1982, he started work at Oluwatudimu & Co, Ebute-Metta, Lagos in 1983 as an Estate Surveyor. He later joined the services of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife as a Lecturer in 1985. From 1989-2003 he worked in different establishments, including Union Bank, Lagos, Eko International Bank, Lagos, Fola Oyekan & Co, Lagos and Femi Agagu & Co, Lagos. In 2003, Pastor Femi Agagu was appointed as the Chief of Staff by Ondo State Government, the position he held till 2009. After his tenure as Chief of Staff, he went back to private practice at Femi Agagu & Co, as Principal Partner, where he held sway until his appointment as the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Ondo State, in 2017.
In September, 2018, Hon Femi Agagu obtained the approval of His Excellency, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) to commence “MY SCHOOL UPDATE”, an online real time educational portal designed for secondary and primary schools in Ondo State, to manage their routine day to day activities and processes. Its main objective is principally to eradicate manual records keeping methods in schools, such as databases of students, teachers and other activities. The portal provides better interaction between the schools, the Ministry of Education and the Parents in respect of Children’s performance in schools. Incidentally, while the digitalization process of Ondo state was evolving, the Federal Ministry of Education came up with similar concept on 15th May, 2019, when the Federal Policy and Guidelines on Digital Education was launched at Abuja. Thus, Ondo state coincidentally ranked as the first state in Nigeria to key in to the programme. The official launching of the programme is expected to take place in 2020.
Indeed Hon Femi Agagu has succeeded in transforming Education in Ondo state, by eradicating manual processes across schools and replacing same with modern and dynamic online digital learning.
Asaniyan Raphael Akinkugbe (FPA) was born into the family of Egiriloye Olomiyete James Thompson ASANIYAN on 9th March, 1964. He had his primary education at St. Paul’s Primary Ifon. He later had his West African School Certificate with flying colours of Grade one at the age of 14 in 1978.
He did his Higher School Certificate at Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure. Thereafter, he taught at Owo High School, Owo and attended Owo Polytechnic, Owo where he studied Secretarial Studies/French for a semester before he got admission into the University of Benin where he obtained B.Ed in History (Adult Education) in 1985/86.
He did his mandatory NYSC at the University of Benin, Faculty of Education as a Graduate Assistant/Administrative Assistant. He proceeded to the University of Ibadan where he obtained M.Ed in Community Development (Adult Education) in 1988 and he graduated as one of the best students in his set with GPA 64%.
He started his working career at the Federal level, at MAMSER, now National Orientation Agency as Mobilization Officer. His short career of 3 months was impactful and he was given incremental credit each month.
His quest for exploits made him join the Local Government Service Commission where he was posted to Ikere Local Government as Community Development and Personal Assistant to the Sole Administrator. He was severally commended for his diligence and dexterity in carrying out his responsibilities especially Speech writing. He served for a year and some months before joining the defunct Agency for Adult and Non-formal Education where he was appointed the Agency Secretary between 1992 and 1995. He was commended for his exemplary conduct in handling Board matters especially Minutes writing and astuteness. This must have prompted his redeployment to the State Primary Education Board in 1995. He functioned as pioneer Board Officer and Personal Assistant to the Executive Chairman. His sterling qualities in handling his responsibilities made him to be nominated unanimously as the Best Senior Staff in 1995/96. He was an outstanding Officer. His interest for Education made him requested for redeployment to Education career rather than sit for ASCON like his other colleagues to enable him cross to the Administrative career line as required officially.
He was redeployed to the defunct Agency for Adult and Non-formal Education where he functioned in different capacities. He received letters of commendation from Management as the Best Revenue generation Officer and School administrator. He was also given award for outstanding contribution to the development of Adult Education by the Management in 2006. He was the Literacy Desk Officer and was commended for anchoring and directing the Yoruba serials for the Literacy by Radio. His talent and proficiency in Yoruba Language attracted public admiration. He was the Pioneer Director of Continuing Education of the former Ministry of Adult, Technical and Vocational Education. He also received several commendations for his initiatives.
He had stint of teaching in tertiary institutions on part time such as Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti now Ekiti State University, Akwa Ibom College of Education, etc.
He introduced Post Literacy programmes, Liberal Education and Science Based Continuing Education in the annals of history of Adult Education in Ondo State. His giant strides as School Administrator at Prospects High School Akure left indelible legacies. He was later redeployed/ appointed as Director of Planning Research and Statistics of Quality Education Assurance Agency in 2010 the position he occupied before his appointment as Secretary in 2013. His sterling administrative qualities were notable. This made the Agency to be celebrated for its excellent performance in February 2017. He was posted to the Board for Adult, Technical and Vocational Education as Acting Permanent Secretary upon the dissolution of the Quality Education Assurance Agency in August 2017. During his short stint before his appointment and posting to Ministry of Education Science and Technology in December 2017 as Permanent Secretary, he was known for his resilience and initiative in resuscitating the activities of this critical sector.
He has participated in several workshops and capacity development courses organised by different organisations such as UNFPA, UNICEF, FGN, UNESCO, Centre for Management Development, Public Relations Institute where he was conferred with certificate of membership in 1992. He is versatile in Leadership, Communications, Emotional Intelligence, Conflict resolution and Management. He has delivered over 500 lectures in this regards and has developed over 100 models. All these are his areas of research. He has been a Master trainer for UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF programmes.
The administrative acumen of Asaniyan Raphael Akinkugbe (FPA) is outstanding, impactful and productive. His passion for competence, commitment and creativity has attracted public admiration. Because of these qualities, on 18th September, 2018, he was conferred a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria (FPA). He is an inspirational motivator and has over 200,000 quotes in this respect. His vision is to have one million quotes to encourage people. He is a recipient of several awards and honours in recognition of his meritorious, dedication and commitment to service from prominent bodies among which are UNESCO, UNICEF, NAPPS, and EGBE AKOMOLEDE ATI ASA ILE NAIJIRIA. Presently, he is the serving Secretary to Permanent Secretaries of Education Forum of 30 States of the Federation under UNICEF Education Sector Programme, and he is also the Secretary of Ondo State Permanent Secretaries’ Forum.
He is married and blessed with children. His hobbies are reading, writing, playing golf and farming. He is a devout Christian and currently the General Coordinator of EL-BETHEL ICT PRAYER MINISTRY WORLD WIDE (a Christian non-denominational self-sponsored daily prophetic ministration through ICT to the whole world) after 18 years of serving as a Pastor in the renowned Church (DEEPER LIFE MINISTRY). His ICT Ministry has reached out to over 500,000 people in the last 10 years. He is a Prophet of God and God has used him as vessel of testimonies over the years. He has a foundation that has inclination for helping the less privileged. He is equally a reputable consultant on project initiation and management. He is currently researching on the use of Bamboo technology to empower youths as well as enhance economy of the State and the Nation.
The School Services Department of the Ministry is made up of the following five units:
(a) Secondary Education
(b) Higher Education
(c) Teacher Education
(d) Sports
(e) French Language Centre
(f) Special Education
(A) ACTIVITIES OF SECONDARY EDUCATION UNIT
(i) The section processes application for constitution of School Based Management Committee (SBMC) which replaced the Board of Governors (BOG) in our Secondary Schools.
(ii) Processes applications for the constitution of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA)
(iii) Processes PTA levies and special levies for approval.
(iv) Monitors the collection of PTA levies and execution of PTA projects
(v) Writes speeches and Memoranda
(vi) Monitors the admission of students into the five Unity Secondary Schools in Ondo State
(vii) Handles all matters relating to the National Common Entrance Examination (Placement) into Federal Junior Unity Secondary Schools
(viii) Processes Inter/Intra/International transfers into Public Secondary Schools and State Unity Schools
(ix) Represents the Ministry of Education on NYSC related issues
(x) Represents the Ministry of Education at the Advisory Committee meeting of the two Federal Government Colleges in the State
(xi) Attends the monthly statutory meetings of Principals of Unity Secondary Schools with the Director of Schools Department
(xii) Handles WAEC matters
(xiii) Prepares School Calendar for new academic year
(xiv) Represents the Ministry at the Appointments, Discipline and Promotion Committees of Teaching Service Commission
(xv) Attends to matters affecting All Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) and other Unions in the State
(xvi) Represents the Ministry at SUBEB Board meeting.
(B) ACTIVITIES OF HIGER EDUCATION UNIT
(i). Attends the statutory and extra-ordinary meetings of the State-owned Tertiary Tertiary and Federal Institutions, as well as private tertiary institutions, namely:
- Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko
- University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa
- University of Medical Sciences, Ondo
- Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji
- Achievers University, Owo
- Elizade University, Ilara Mokin
- Wesley University, Ondo
- Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo
(ii) Attends to matters referred to the Ministry in the State-owned tertiary institutions.
(iii) Attends to matters relating to the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) within Ondo State
(iv) Initiates and enacts edicts/laws establishing tertiary institutions.
(v) Attends to matters affecting the welfare of students of Ondo State origin in tertiary institutions.
(vi) Monitors projects in tertiary institutions.
(vii) Writes speeches and memoranda on tertiary institutions
(viii) Monitors the UTME – Unified Tertiary matriculation Examination conducted by JAMB (Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board).
(ix) Attends to matter relating private Higher Institutions.
(C) ACTIVITIES OF TEACHER EDUCATION UNIT
(i) Coordinates, monitors the NTI DLS State Examination
(ii) Represents the Ministry of Education on matters relating to National Teachers Institute. (NTI)
(iii) Coordinates the Teachers Day Celebration
(iv) Relates with TESCOM, SUBEB and other relevant bodies on matters affecting teachers in the State
(vii) Relates with professional bodies like NUT, ANCOPSS, ASUSS and AOPSHON on issues affecting teachers.
(viii) Coordinates the registration of teachers with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).
(ix) Any other official duties assigned by the HSCE, PSME and Directors.
(D) ACTIVITIES OF SPORTS UNIT
(i). Planning, Organising, Supervising and Administration of Sporting Programmes in all Public Junior and Senior Secondary Schools in the State
(ii) Planning, Organising, Supervising and Administration of Sporting Programmes in the Unity Secondary Schools in the State
(iii) Attending regional and National Secondary Schools Competitions
(iv) Attending sponsored sporting programmes at Secondary School-age competitions e.g. Shell Cup Football Competition, Nestle Milo Basket Ball Competition
(v) Conduct of Seminars/Workshop for Sports Officers in the State.
(E) ACTIVITIES OF SPECIAL EDUCATION UNIT
(i) Regular preparation and payment of monthly feeding and maintenance grants to the four special schools in the State including:
-. School for the Visually Impaired, Owo
- School for the Hearing Impaired, Akure
- School for the Physically Impaired, Ikare
- School for the Intellectually Impaired, Oke-Igbo
(ii) Monitoring of the Special Schools and Integrated Secondary Schools
(iii) Placement of the handicapped pupils and students into the Special Schools in line with the Zero-rejection policy of Government
(iv) Attendance of SBMC meetings of the four Special Schools
(v) Disbursement of feeding and book allowances to the Special Technical Students
(vi) Screening of newly admitted pupils at the School for the Hearing Impaired (E.N.T. Exams).
(vii) Conveyance of the Gifted Students of FEDACAD, Suleja
(viii) Conducting the Census of people with Special needs in Ondo State
(ix) Organising Sporting activities for the children with Special needs
(x) Processing approval for the Handicapped students in Secondary Schools to be exempted from payment of all levies.
(xii) Attending to matters relating to NASET, NIGERWIVES, NABRACON, JONADIP and NGOs
(xiii). Attending to NOMADIC Education Programmes
(xiv) Processing approval for financial assistance for non-students handicapped
(xv) Collation of the disabled applicants for employment
(xvi). Attending Seminars and Workshop
(xvii). Collation of monthly returns and statistical data
(xviii) Validating the materials distributed to Special Schools’
(xix). Organizing training programmes for Special Teachers
(xx). Provision of rehabilitative programme at School of the Blind, Owo
(xxi). Holding of monthly meetings with the four head-teachers and H.O.D’s of the Integrated Schools
(xxii). Preparation for the gifted/talented NECO Examination into Federal Academy of the Gifted Children, Suleja.
(F). ACTIVITIES OF FRENCH LANGUAGE UNIT
(i). Monitoring the activities relating to French Language in schools
(ii). Serving as a link between the French Language Association and the Ministry of Education
(iii). Attending Seminars/Workshops relating to French Language within and outside the State.
(iv) Organising French competitions among Secondary Schools
Organising part-time evening classes for interested members of the public.
(v) Any other official duties assigned by HSCE, PSME and Directors.
THE UNITY SECONDARY SCHOOLS
There are five Unity secondary schools in the state which are directly under the supervision of the Secondary Education Unit of the School Services Department.
These schools are:
(i). St. Peter’s Unity Secondary School, Akure
(ii) St. Helen’s Unity Secondary School, Ondo
(iii). African John/Mary’s Unity Secondary School, Owo
(iv). African Church Unity Secondary School, Epinmi
(v). Unity Secondary School, Ode-Aye
THE SPECIAL SCHOOLS
There are four special schools in the State which are directly under the supervision of the Special Education Unit of School Services Department. They are:
(i) School for the Hearing Impaired, Akure
(ii) School for the Visually Impaired, Owo
(iii) School for the Physically Impaired, Ikare
(iv) School for the Intellectually Impaired, Oke-Igbo
