Ogun government has warned Governing Councils of state-owned tertiary institutions to steer clear of actions and decisions that could undermine the solvency of those institutions in the state.

Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, gave the warning on Thursday at the opening of a two-day workshop at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye.

Arigbabu noted that members of governing councils were supposed to save costs and equally attract funds to their respective institutions.

The workshop, with the theme: “Governing Councils of Higher Educational Institutions: Concept, Roles, Relevance and Expectations,” was organized by Oba Sikiru Adetona Institute for Governance Studies in OOU.

In his keynote address entitled: “Governing Councils: Government Concepts, Perceptions and Expectations,” Arigbabu declared that governing councils were primarily constituted to effectively help in repositioning tertiary institutions to achieve their core mandates.

The commissioner, who observed that conflicts often erupt between governing bodies and managements of tertiary institutions, said there should not be an unhealthy rivalry if everyone knew his responsibilities, obligations, and limitations.

According to him, there will be rapid growth and development in tertiary institutions if there is synergy between governing councils and management.

“Governing councils are supposed to be blessings for institutions, not curses. They should be troubleshooters, not troublemakers,” the commissioner said.

He further stated that governing bodies were entrusted with funds, both public and private, and, therefore, had the duty of observing the highest standards of corporate governance.

“These include: ensuring and demonstrating integrity and objectivity in the transaction of their business and, wherever possible, following a policy of openness and transparency in the dissemination of their decisions,” he added.

Arigbabu said that the Gov. Dapo Abiodun-led administration placed a high premium on the attainment of qualitative education, urging kind-hearted individuals to complement the efforts of the government by funding tertiary institutions in the state.

According to him, the purpose of appointing people from various backgrounds into governing councils was to tap their resources and connections for the development of tertiary institutions.

In his goodwill message, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, described the governing councils and principal officers of various institutions of higher learning as key actors in the governance of such tertiary institutions.

Their effectiveness, he said, was capable of improving the fortunes of such schools.

“An effective educational system is a veritable tool for growth and shared prosperity. But education can only serve as an agent of development if it is effective and serves humanity,” he said.

Adetona urged the participants to help the government in addressing the problems of tertiary education in the state and manage their respective institutions to meet the expectations of the public.

Earlier, the OOU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, had said that the workshop was organized to intimate participants of their roles as the apex body in the management of tertiary education in the state.

According to him, the management of tertiary education in a globalized and ever-changing world is not static but very dynamic.