..as FOREDO holds maiden Congress in Ondo

The Forum of Education Officers (FOREDO), Ondo State Chapter, has held its maiden congress, during which members were charged to uphold professional ethics and deploy their expertise to positively influence government education policies.

Speaking as the guest lecturer at the event held at St. James C.A.C. Mega Primary School, Irowo, Akure, a Professor of Education Management at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Prof. Adeolu Ayeni, urged members to remain receptive to knowledge acquisition through all available means.

Addressing the theme of the congress, “Reawakening the Passion and Unlocking the Full Potential of Education Officers for Excellence in Service Delivery,” Ayeni advised education officers to focus on how they could shape and influence government policies to strengthen the state’s education system.

The don, who previously served as an inspector in the state Ministry of Education, encouraged members to cross-fertilise ideas, showcase excellence in service and add value to government programmes.

He further urged them to uphold the ethics of the profession, maintain healthy interpersonal relationships and study existing education policies to enhance their performance.

Describing their responsibilities as a God-given calling, Ayeni stressed that the role of education officers demands unwavering commitment and selfless service.

“Let us establish a policy group that will articulate how this association can make positive impacts on government and the state, including capacity-building initiatives,” he added.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Acting Chairman of FOREDO, Mr. Oyebanji Bada Esq., expressed appreciation to the Association of Retired Education Managers (AREMOS), as well as retired Permanent Secretaries and Directors from the Ministry of Education, for their support towards the establishment of the forum.

Bada disclosed that FOREDO, which was officially registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in May 2025, is committed to championing the welfare and professional interests of education officers in the state.

According to him, the forum emerged after wide consultations with key stakeholders in the education sector.
“Before now, almost all professional groups in the state public service, except education officers, had umbrella bodies through which they engaged the government. FOREDO was created to fill that gap,” he explained.

While assuring members of the benefits of the forum, including regular training programmes and workshops for improved service delivery, Bada solicited their commitment and cooperation to achieve its objectives.

“To us, FOREDO is a beacon of hope. We must work together to nurture this newborn forum to maturity so that it can yield the desired results,” he said.

Represented by the Director of Quality Assurance, Prince Obaluwaye, the Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Akindele Ige, commended the FOREDO leadership for their efforts in bringing the forum to life and prayed for the resources needed to sustain its momentum.

He described the formation of FOREDO as a bold and unifying step that would strengthen collaboration among education officers, describing it as a worthy legacy.

The congress also featured deliberations on funding strategies for the forum, as well as the adoption of FOREDO’s  constitution.

Also, former Acting Executives were confirmed, including election of new Officers to the unfilled posts.