Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the state’s first Executive Governor Alhaji Lateef Jakande have challenged secondary school leavers to aim for the best in their academic pursuit.
The duo enjoined them to stay focused and not be distracted.
They spoke during the presentation of 250 Free GCE forms to indigent students of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area at the council secretariat, Ilupeju, Lagos.
Jakande expressed happiness that the free education introduced during his regime is gaining more acceptability.
“We never believe that the policy (free education) could go far but we that God that what we started then is being embrace by the populace,” he said.
He hailed the council’s Executive Secretary Rasaq Ajala for investing in the youths.
Ambode who was represented by Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Mrs Olabisi Ariyo said the exercise was borne out of the realisation of the importance of education in the development of the people.
“Since education has been identified as the greatest weapon against poverty, we must do everything within our means to ensure that no child is denied access to education on the basis of his or her socio-economic background,” he said.
The governor assured Lagosians of his administration’s commitment to providing qualitative education at all levels.
“It is therefore necessary to appeal to parents to secure the future of their children and themselves by not engaging them in street trading during school hours. This is against the provisions of the Child Rights Law of Lagos State.
“To the beneficiaries of these Free GCE forms, I enjoin you all to show appreciation by performing well in your examinations through hard work. This is the only way you can make the council and your parents proud,” he said.
Ajala said the gesture was an evidence that the council is progressing.
He said: “We are very much conversant with the maxim that education is the best legacy you can bequeath to a soul but the factors militating against it left much to be desired. One major hindrance why many of our youths have unfulfilled dream is because of their inability to meet up with the financial demands of their academic. In this wise, we decided to assist these youths to realise their potentials. We believed so much in the power of knowledge. Education liberates the mind, inspires confidence and gives the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the society.”
He said the council went through a painstaking process before embarking on the gesture, appealing to the beneficiaries to see it as a golden opportunity to pursue their life time dream.
“My esteemed students, you must take your academics serious so that you can use it as a tool to free yourself from the shackles of poverty, ignorance, disease and all sorts of vicious vices. You must also inculcate excellent moral such that your immediate community can vouch for you. Do not be swayed by unproductive activities that neither add value nor bring progress to you. The future is yours; therefore I implore you to make maximum use of any worthy opportunity that comes your way. You must see yourself as good ambassadors of this council. We want that stereotyped mindset to change. We want Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye to be projected positively in the committee of Local Councils through your academic achievement and impeccable character,” he said.
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