The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, said his administration would continue to invest in the education of children in a holistic way.
Sanwo-Olu made the declaration in his address at the Children’s Day Celebration organised by the state government which held at the Police College Parade Ground, lkeja.
The governor said the state would continue to ensure all its educational programmes introduced to boost and develop human capacity and human capital were sustained and achieved through provision of enabling environment for quality teaching and learning.
The theme of the 2021 International Children’s Day is: “Unite to Reverse the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Children.”
Sanwo-Olu said that as part of the state’s efforts to ensure children had access to quality education, the government had just commissioned and handed over 1,097 school infrastructure projects across the state.
” The infrastructure is spread across the 57 local government and local council development areas which is an ongoing project until all our schools in the state are fully covered,” he said.
He said the theme was a reminder on the importance of protection and welfare of children, regardless of their status in the face of coronavirus pandemic, as children had rights to survival and development.
“The celebration of the 2021 Children’s Day gives us opportunity as parents, guardians, and caregivers to reflect on the state of welfare of our children and what we need to do to make the society better, safe and more inclusive for all of them.”
Sanwo-Olu noted that the outbreak of COVID-19 changed so many things – education, family life and social interaction – as schools were closed for several months which students and pupils felt the impact.
According to him, electronic teaching on television, radio and the internet as well as provision of mobile devices and mp3 players preloaded with the school curriculum for students were introduced by the state as alternative learning measures.
“We had to switch to sustain the academic calendar, students had to learn via online and digital platforms in a bid to maintain social distances and to curb spread of the virus.
“I am happy to know that these initiatives yielded commendable and positive feedback from parents, students and career stakeholders, appreciations to public, spirited individuals and organisations who partnered with us at the peak of the pandemic, he said.
Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed that sound education remained a veritable and trusted means toward attaining greatness, adding that the children must not toy with their future.
He emphasised that quality education would prepare them for life challenges, and equip them with necessary skills for self sufficiency, urging them to endeavour to make their parents and Lagos State proud by full dedication to their studies.
“My dear promising future leaders, to succeed in life, you must have the right attitude and all your thoughts must be academically inclined; in all you do, you must shun mediocrity, there is no short cut to success,” he added.
The governor tasked the children on excellence in learning and character, stressing the need for students to acquaint themselves with use of modern technologies provided by the state government to enhance learning outcomes.
He said that a new law against cultism had been introduced in the state which prescribed punitive measures for parents of young people convicted of cultism and therefore advised parents to be vigilant and monitor their children.
According to him, we owe them a duty to ensure that their dreams and aspirations of becoming responsible are realised through continuous training, guidance and mentoring.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, noted that Lagos State students had continued to distinguish themselves in national and international competitions, winning several laurels and trophies for the state.
Adefisayo acknowledged the state government’s free education policy from primary to secondary school levels, adding that in spite of the various contending needs struggling for resource allocation, the large number of schools and the huge population of learners received attention.
“The administration of Sanwo-Olu have continued to commit huge resources to the upbringing and wellbeing of the children, it is not by accident that the education sector of the state got the highest budget in 2020 and 2021.
“This is because of the NEEDS assessment, commitment and passion of the governor toward providing a conducive environment for teaching and learning for our students across the state,” she said.
She disclosed that the celebration of children’s day which had weeklong
activities to mark the annual event also had special prayers offered during Jumat service for Muslim pupils/students, thanksgiving service for Christian pupils/students, career talk/ youth forum and cultural display.
Students from various schools in the six educational districts of the state participated in various activities including match past and cultural display, while corporate bodies on ground distributed beverages, noodles and juice to thousands of the students.
Among dignitaries present at the event were Mrs Abosede Adelaja, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Wahab Alawiye-King, Chairman SUBEB and Mrs Elizabeth Ariyo, Chairman TESCOM, among others.
