Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has described his late Special Adviser on Basic, Secondary, and Vocational Education, Prof. Francisca Aladejana, as an administrator who loved and served the state passionately.
Gov Fayemi made the remarks at Aladejana’s funeral mass, held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Ado Ekiti, on Thursday.
He said that the late Professor of Education and former Provost of College of Education, Ikere- Ekiti, would be remembered for repositioning the college, now the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI).
According to him, Aladejana will also be remembered for raising the enrolment figure of primary school pupils by over 40,000 during her tenure as Chairman of the State Universal Education Board (SUBEB).
The governor maintained that the only way to celebrate Aladejana’s life and time was to live a life of service to others.
“I really didn’t know her when I appointed her; she was highly recommended when we were looking for someone who would help revive the college of education, Ikere-Ekiti.
“We first appointed her as Sole Administrator of the college and later as acting Provost. She later competed with others and came first in the interview process for the appointment of substantive provost for the college.
“And, for the five years that she was there, she distinguished herself by turning around the college and leaving it in far stronger standing.
“So it was not really difficult when I returned to Government House after my sabbatical to call on her and to take over as SUBEB chairman.
“There again, she did a yeoman’s job, because it is a very difficult office in many ways, but just as my Lord Bishop said, she was soft-spoken, very determined about the task, and always smiling,” he said.
Fayemi said that between the time the late professor took over and when she left the office, she had raised the enrolment figure in our primary schools by over 40,000.
“She also helped to run a number of our World Bank-assisted projects as Special Adviser on Basic, Secondary and Technical Education.
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“In fact, my wife was telling me a couple of days ago how she developed a gender policy for our secondary schools and how she worked closely with her in developing that policy before it became public,” he said.
In his sermon, the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaiye, urged Nigerian youth to try to surmount their challenges, just like the late Aladejana did.
“She suffered a lot but persevered in hardship and came out triumphantly. She did not allow her father’s death to prevent her from making headway in her academics as a teenager,” he said.
Ajakaiye further urged the congregation to live a good life and use their talents positively, with the mindset that they would account for their deeds on the day of judgment.
The funeral service was attended by the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, the Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, and Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Hakeem Jamiu.
Others were Secretary to the State Government, Biodun Oyebanji; Head of Service, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, a former Head of Service, Mr. Ayodeji Ajayi, Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo and Vicar- General of Osogbo Diocese, Thadeus Ajayi.
Also in attendance was Pro-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi; Vice-Chancellors of OAU, Ekiti State University and BOUESTI, Profs Eyitope Ogunbodede, Edward Olanipekun, and Olufemi Adeoluwa, and members of the state Executive Council.
