THE Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Idiat Adebule, on Wednesday reiterated the state government’s commitment to innovative reforms and massive investment in education, to secure future of students.

Adebule disclosed this at the Year 2019 Honours Day and Inauguration of Students Diplomatic Corps (SDC) in the Education District I held at the Government Senior College, Agege, Lagos.

The deputy governor, who was represented by Mr Oluremi Awoyera, the Director, Modern Apprenticeship Training and Programme, Ministry of Education, commended the district for its commitment to recognising and celebrating its outstanding students.

“We must encourage our children to be whatever they want to be in life. It is our responsibility as teachers and parents to discover in our children their latent abilities.

“I want to reiterate that our administration will continue to channel more investments in the future of our children through partnership with stakeholders in education.

“We will continue to focus on innovative reforms and strategic planning in the education sector to ensure that our children would compare and compete favourably with their peers internationally.

“More of our attention would be geared towards capacity development of teaching and non-teaching personnel in all public schools.

“This is to ensure that our children are provided with required skills and further move our education system forward,’’ she said.

The deputy governor, who congratulated the award winners and the district for their sterling performance in the last academic year, urged them not to rest on their oars but fly higher.

According to her, just like the first edition in 2018, the second edition will in no small measure encourage and motivate the students to focus more on their education with the hope that there are awards.

In her remarks, Dr Olufolayimika Ayandele, the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District I commended Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode for his  investments in education.

Ayandele said that 92 out of 506 that won various awards in the 2017/2018 academic session in the district were given honours and graduated into its Student Diplomatic Corps (SDC) for their outstanding performance.

“I will like to appreciate the effort of the Lagos State Government for investing heavily in education. Schools are getting periodic facelifts, supply of student and staff furniture ongoing.

“Funds get released for various types of competitions and teachers go for regular in-service training and seminars.

“In this district, no stone is ever left unturned in transforming the lives of the students. Various student-friendly methods like peer mentoring, group studies on the part of the students and groups mentoring among teachers are instituted,’’ Ayandele said.

The tutor-general added that the maiden edition of the SDC instituted in the last academic session had gingered a lot of students to strive for excellence to be identified as corp members.

According to her, students in the district have worked hard, carried out intensive studies and displayed impeccable character to be honoured on the occasion.

Ayandele said that there was a robust deposit of knowledge, skill, tact, intellect and acumen that could transform them to smart thinkers, if handled well by the dedicated teachers in a conducive environment.

She said that the new members of the SDC had excelled in internal and external examination, state and national competitions as well as international engagements.

“I am delighted to be here today in commemoration and celebration of our students who have been so exceptional and bore good standards worthy of acclamation in the course of the year gone by.

“These students have made the district proud; they have made the state proud, they are the future of our nation,’’ the Permanent Secretary said.

Speaking, Mrs Layide Bakare, wife of Pastor Tunde Bakare of Latter Rain Assembly, commended the tutor-general, teachers and students for striving for excellence through selfless service.

Bakare said the church was interested in raising educational standard in the local government where the Assembly was situated, which informed its award for educational excellence to engender healthy academic competition.

“It is a yearly educational award for excellence to be given few students with best results in English Language and Mathematics in the basic education certificate examination and West African Examination Council (WAEC) for five schools within Education District I.’’

She presented a cheque of N25, 000 each and plaques to all the best graduating students in English Language and Mathematics in the selected schools in Agege within the neighbourhood of the church.

Miss Jemilat Yakubu, the Best Graduating Student in the district with six As and two Bs in WAEC, said she was inspired by  previous recipients of award and she resolved to  remained undistracted by peers and social media.

Yakubu, who has been admitted into the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ibadan, commended Ambode for making available all facilities “for the willing students” to excel in public schools.

Rave TV and Trend Fm Founder, Mrs Agatha Amata, who urged the students to remain focused, said there was a need to encourage them and their teachers to raise educational standards.

Amata called on corporate organisations to support education, while promising a cash gift of N100, 000 to the best graduating students.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that schools in Agege, Alimosho and Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Areas fall under Education District I in the state.

These student ambassadors and delegates were admitted into the SDC and were decorated by the Tutor General. (NAN)

– Jan. 30, 2019 @ 17:17 GMT |