Don’t lose focus on education, LASG advises pupils

The Lagos State Governement has called on pupils to fully dedicate their time to learning, saying education remains the only means for them to attain greatness in life.

The Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule, said the government would continue to improve on the quality of education and ensure that all children had free access to basic education irrespective of their socio-economic background.

Adebule, who doubles as the state’s Commsioner for Education, spoke on Tuesday, in Ikeja while commending the winners of the 2016 Spelling Bee Competition, in which pupils from primary and secondary schools across the state particpated.

She said, “I have a sense of fulfillment as the superintendent of the Ministry of Education that Lagos State is delivering on its electoral promises to the people through quality education. I congratulate the winners and participants at all levels.

“I implore our pupils to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the government to work hard and distinguish themselves in their academic pursuits. I want to remind our pupils that education remains the veritable means of attaining greatness. Education helps to prepare and equip individuals for life’s challenges.

“The government will continue to invest heavily in education and also introduce more educational and co-curricular programmes which can further expose pupils’ innate capabilities as we are convinced that education plays an important role in human capital development.”

The wife of the governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, who was represented at the event by Mrs. Kemi Durosinmi-Etti, said the competition was conceived under the New Era Foundation to generate healthy rivalry among pupils of public schools in Lagos State, noting that the vision of its initiator, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, had been achieved.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Adesina Odeyemi, said the competition demonstrated government’s resolve to develop education, adding that it was designed to boost pupils’ confidence.

“The ministry and the New Era Foundation have continued to monitor the progress of past winners by guiding and counselling them on the need to stay focused. They have maintained a steady rise in their endeavours,” he added.

In the secondary school category, Olufemi Olaseinde of Shasha Community Senior High School, Alimosho, emerged the overall winner, beating Komolafe Kehinde of Immaculate Heart Senior Secondary School, Kosofe, and Okinbaloye Rashidat, of Ilupeju Senior Grammar School, Ilupeju, to the second and third positions respectively.

In the primary school category, 11-year-old Philip Daniel of Darocha Primary School, Agege, emerged the overall winner while Titus Friday of Anglican Primary School, Ajegunle, and Nafisat Raji of Ahmadiyah Primary School, Yaba, were first and second runners-up respectively. Daniel received N150,000 cash prize and a trophy, while Friday and Raji collected N100,000 and N75, 000 cash prizes with a trophy each.

Following his feat, Olaseinde will be made the state governor for 24 hours and be entitled to the Lagos State Government scholarship to pursue any course of his interest in any university in the country.