Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Otunba Femi Pedro, has recalled how he went to university on the scholarship of the government in the 1970s, saying it is time for him and other beneficiaries to repay the gesture so as to help the less-privilege to get quality education.
Pedro said he attended university in the United States (US) after his secondary school at Ahmadiyya (now Anwar-Ul Islam) College, Agege. His education, he added, was fully sponsored by the Lagos State Government, thereby enabling him to concentrate and excel in his academic work.
He said he would have been working and schooling, if not for the scholarship which allowed him to concentrate on his education and finish in time to return home to contribute to national development.
Speaking at a reception for two members of Anwar-Ul Islam College Old Students Association (ACAOSA) 77/78 Set, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), and Dr Abiodun Afolabi, who were recently appointed into Lagos State Executive Council, Pedro said he saw his service years as coming to give back to the state.
The special guest of honour, who was a senior to Pedro and Afolabi in school, advised the duo to see themselves as ambassadors of their alma mater in government.
The gathering was full of other old boys of the school, who came to rejoice with the duo. Pedro is the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, while Afolabi is the Special Adviser on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagements.
Pedro praised members of the Set for honouring their mates, noting that they were building on the school’s age-old tradition of watching out for one another through bonding and friendship.
‘’As pupils while in school, we were known for looking out for one another; playing together, eating together, going out together and reading together without losing respect for our seniors. So, when I received the invitation from Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, a member of your set, I knew that I must be here to celebrate with my brothers. You have done well by honouring Lawal and Abiodun. I wish them all the best in the discharge of their duties’’, Pedro said.
Pedro said public service was not a tea party. “Thanks to Lagos State government who sponsored my education abroad; I did not suffer in the US as I enjoyed the education. I did not know that they were training and nurturing me to come back and serve the state in the capacity of deputy governor. It was a position that afforded me an opportunity to serve the state that awarded me scholarship so many years ago. So, I ensured that we sponsored students through the Ministry of Education”, he said, adding:
“I can see so many achievers from my alma mater. As for the attorney-general and commissioner for justice, I congratulate you. The journey did not start today; you deserve to be attorney-general of the federation. I am very proud of you and happy to be a member of ACAOSA. You and Abiodun should serve diligently and do us all proud in ACAOSA”.
Obanikoro, a one-time commissioner in the state, described the former deputy governor as a pride to the school and a worthy leader. He described Pedro and Afolabi as “our ambassadors”.
He said as ACAOSA members “we attended one of the best schools in our time; now we are staying and keeping together things that add value to our lives. We must give respect to those that have kept and tied us together. You (Pedro and Afolabi) have done very well and we are proud of you. There is a big task before you and we expect you to excel in your work”.
Pedro and Afolabi thanked their friends for the honour done them. Pedro said “more work is expected of me and my brother, Dr Afolabi, and we must not disappoint people. The essence of governance is actually to tackle challenges and we all know that Lagos is like a country without borders, it is a country without borders, it is a country you do not need a visa to enter”.
Among those in attendance were ACAOSA 77/78 Set president, Alhaji Rahman Alarape (Snr), retired assistant inspector-general of police (AIG) Shina Olukolu ,former Lagos State House of Assembly Clerk Azeez Sanni, former Ayedire Local Government chairman, Otunba Mukaila Oladejo, Federal Character Commission (FCC) Commissioner for Lagos State, Wasiu Bawa-Allah and Ikeja Local Government Chairman, Mojeed Balogun.
