Kayode Olanrewaju 
A new initiative that will reposition and transform the nation’s education system to loftier heights, promote and encourage schools to compete globally and be universally versatile, has been unveiled.
The Prof Owolabi HY Corner, is new, fresh, cool, intoxicating, thrilling, exciting and fun, as well as original, deep and genuine and completely different from most education pieces you have encountered.
“Our ideas will showcase and periscope some of the best schools we have and propel others to learn from the proficiency of some of these best schools, emulate and strive in the direction of quality and enduring education that spin honour and respect in the world,” The Prof Owolabi HY Corner, however, bemoaned the use of malpractice, bad examination conduct and unwholesome attitude during examinations to measure the quality of Nigerian education and describe the school system.
The Prof Owolabi HY Corner said such indices should not be the yardstick to measure our education landscape, saying those doing so are simply denying the country of its fair share of the global education income.
The Founder of Prof Owolabi HY, Prof Owolabi, explained that as far as he was concerned, Nigeria still has some of the best schools in the world, even as he insisted that hose who found the country difficult to catch up with are those spreading unsubstantial information and rumour about the nation’s education.
While stating that “education in Nigeria is still worthy and relevant,” he said that the Prof Owolabi HY in the garden of education, would turn on its searchlight on nursery, primary and secondary schools without leaving out the colleges of education, schools of nursing, polytechnics, universities and other specialised schools.
On the goals of the initiative, he added: “In this Prof Owolabi HY Corner, I will make school children, students, teachers and parents regular features in the Corner, while school owners and government officials in the education sector will be ubiquitous on our page.
“It will constantly and frequently bring to the fore, NECO, WAEC, NABTEB, JAMB, ICAN, ANAN, SAT, GMAT, IGCSE and several examinations. This Corner will give voice to parents and guardians, concerned Nigerians and lovers of good education to air their views on how best to help develop our education.”
He stressed also that everything would be done to bring to the consciousness of all stakeholders the relevance of Special Needs Education, and thus use that opportunity to raise awareness about Autism Downs Syndrome, cerebral palsy, dyslexia, visual and hearing impairment. Prof Owolabi HY in the garden of education, he noted, would provide the platform for corporate bodies to spread their wings and fly into the garden of education with mutual benefits.
Besides, Owolabi further explained that this garden would leave its gate open to manufacturers of educational materials, such as books, publishers, makers of school uniforms, foreign admission agents and agencies, among the list of those working for a better Nigerian education. He said: “Our schools are not as bad as many want us to believe.
We have several public schools, government schools, and schools owned by the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, missionaries and private owners, as well as corporate bodies with high integrity, standards and respect for quality education, and in view of this, all our schools cannot be described as being the worst schools.
“In this garden, you will be able to get teaching jobs, seek employment, search for education support staff and sell your education products with ease.
“Through the platform of the New Telegraph newspaper, there will be regular education events such as quiz, debate, science and mathematics competitions, essay writing, arts and crafts.
If you are ready, and prepared to fly with Prof Owolabi HY in the garden of education, make it a duty to fasten your belt, keep the tank of your reading vehicle filled and do hold a 21st Century idea that you will benefit from, and a regular column, while New Telegraph, the source of communication, will get good in this.”
