he Lagos State Government will continue to promote science education to develop its teeming youths, Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule said yesterday.
Mrs Adebule urged teachers to encourage pupils to discover their talents, build skills to support innovation and develop solutions for societal problems.
She spoke at the opening of a three-day Science, Arts and Craft Exhibition organised by the Ministry of Education as part of activities to celebrate Lagos at 50.
Pupils from public and private primary, junior and senior secondary schools showcased their initiatives at the exhibition which took place at Education Districts I, II, V and VI in Agege, Oshodi and Agboju.
According to the deputy governor, there is the need to teach pupils to be creative problem-solvers in a technology-driven society.
She said: “As we celebrate Lagos at 50, we recognise the roles of our youth and pupils in the years to come in terms of the development of the state and country at large.
“In the process of fostering young talents, our education plays a major role in ensuring that our children and youth acquire mastery of skills and knowledge required for their academics as well as the job market.
“Students and youth are the generation that possesses the future and there is the need to empower them to become positive change-makers in their careers and the society.
“One of the ways to help children and youth become confident and competent problem solvers is by offering them the opportunity such as this exhibition.
“These children are our hope and future and we need to help them positively channel their talents for a better tomorrow. Let us give opportunity to our children.”
Some of the projects on display were electronic ballot box, a tea mixer and chicken incubator, security communication devices, reading lamps and extension box with indicator lights, foot-mat security alarm system, battery powered lawn mower, solar powered traffic light, tricycle, and ship, biogas production machine, grain blower, urine power generating set, hydraulic tractor, local refrigerator, hydroponic farming, fish production through water recycling system and others.
Noting that no state can develop without its youths’ contributions, Mrs Adebule said though Lagos’ growth through the years had been glorious, what is going on across the state shows that its next 50 years shall be more glorious.
She pledged the government’s commitment to teachers’ welfare.
In their remarks, the Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary of Education District V Mrs Anike Adekanye and her District VI counterpart Mrs Olufunmilayo Onadipe hailed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for including the exhibition in the programme packaged for the celebration of Lagos at 50. This, they said, would unveil the innate abilities of youngsters.
Mrs Adekanye said the government’s huge investment in education had borne tremendous fruits.
“On our own part in District V, we have implemented a number of programmes within my short time in office as TG/PS. We held Information Communication Technology (ICT) training programme for all the principals, repaired and maintained a number of ICT equipment as well as procured additional ones for use in the district office. I have personally visited more than 124 schools between October last year and now for on-the-spot inspection,” she said.
Mrs Onadipe urged private school operators to support the government in developing youngsters.T
Tag: Adebule
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Why Lagos is promoting science education, by Adebule
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Adebule hails foundation’s child advocacy centre
*Why we’re involved
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, yesterday opened a Child Advocacy Centre built in Gbagada by Cece Yara Foundation, a non-profit organisation founded by Mrs Bola Tinubu, wife of Oando Group chairman, Mr. Wale Tinubu.
Mrs. Adebule hailed the foundation for establishing “the first child advocacy outfit to address challenges.”
Praising Mrs Tinubu, a lawyer, for her selfless child advocacy activities, the deputy governor urged private sector and civil society groups to support the centre to achieve its goals and mission.
The centre was established to tackle and prevent sexual abuse of children. It is also equipped to give psychological and legal support to victims.
The centre, which his on Akin Ogunmade Davies Street, Gbagada Phase II, will operate in collaboration with the federal and state governments’ agencies to tackle the menace of sexual abuse of children.
At a press briefing before the centre’s opening, Mrs Tinubu, a child rights advocate, said she initiated as foundation because of the worrying cases of child abuses in the country.
She said a Needs Assessment Survey some by the foundation indicated that two out of every five children across 20 local government areas in Lagos identified abuse as problem in their communities.
The centre, she added, would address the alarming rate of abuse of children in the country.
She said: “We conducted Needs Assessment Survey in 20 Local Government Areas in Lagos. We looked at the statistics we got and calculated that 784,413 children in Lagos alone, experience sexual abuse every year. It means that 65,367 children are sexually abused monthly and 2,149 of them are abused daily.
“In response to these disturbing figures, we conceived the idea of Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre to provide a warm, safe and child-friendly shelter where victims will be offered support and help to overcome physical and psychological experience they have been through. The centre is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities tailored to assist the psychological and physical healing process of the victims with fully operational 24-hour hotlines ready to cater for any child in distress.”
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Adebule urges women to rise against discrimination
Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule has called on women to fight against discrimination, domestic violence and gender inequality.
At an event commemorating the International Women’s Day (IWD) yesterday, Mrs Adebule described the day as recognition of women’s roles in the political and socio-economic development of the society. Despite the barriers, she said, women over the years had broken the walls of limitation to succeed in their careers.
She said: “We all must work in synergy to ensure that all girls have access to free, equitable and quality education. Our unity of purpose must be to help all women to end all forms of discriminations, assaults, abuses, trafficking, and harmful practices such as early and forced marriages.”
Lagos State, she noted, has been fighting for fairness, equality and full protection for women and the girl-Child.
”In the Lagos State Public Service for instance, all persons irrespective of gender are treated equally in the areas of recruitment, promotion and career progression, while it is worth noting that last four successive Heads of Service in the state have been women. Women have been occupying the position of Chief Judge of the state in the last eight years,” she said.
Wife of the governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, said the day was significant to acknowledge women’s achievements and appreciate their contributions to the socio-economic development of their societies.
Mrs Ambode urged women not to be limited in their vision to achieve their hearts’ desire.
“Change is the only permanent thing in life; it signifies progress and overcoming the barriers to achieving greatness. We must therefore embrace change with boldness and by so doing open a new door of opportunities for ourselves” she said.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Lola Akande, enjoined women to see themselves as potential leaders and be committed to pragmatic actions which would foster their emancipation and advancement.
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Adebule assures Lagosians of security of lives and property
Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule has reassured Lagosians that the security of lives and property remain the top priority of the state government.
Mrs Adebule said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has promised more support to the law enforcement agencies to ensure that they perform well in their assigned duties.
The government, she said, will continue to make life more meaningful to Lagosians, urging them to continue to support the government in its quest to make Lagos state one of the most safe and economically viable city states in Africa.
Adebule who stated this in her new year message to Lagosians noted that the modest achievement of the present administration in 2016 can be traced to the tremendous support and understanding it enjoyed from the residents, whom she acknowledged understood the enormity of the challenges facing the state and the systemic strategic approach that the Ambode-led administration adopted in tackling some of the problems.
The deputy governor who superintends over the Ministry of Education, assured stakeholders in the sector, parents, students, teachers and investors, that more would be done to ensure that quality education is not only made available but also impacted in the lives of the younger generation to guarantee a better tomorrow for all.
“We will do more in the education sector and make the future of our state great and secure by investing in our youths through qualitative education that will bring them at par with their counterparts in any other parts of the world. We will also give priority attention to the welfare and good condition of service to the teachers to enable them deliver on their mandate to impact knowledge. We will also ensure that the schools’ curriculum is in tandem with the modern day reality of effective teaching and learning,” she said.
Mrs Adebule while admonishing parents to always play their roles by ensuring that the education and well being of their children remains their top priority in the New Year, assured that the state government will always play its parts by making facilities and conducive environment available from time to time.
She added that one of the ways that parents can appreciate government’s huge investment in education is by ensuring that their children are in schools and provide them with small basic needs that will aid their learning. -
Adebule hails Omatseye, others at Concord Press reunion
•Dele Giwa’s killer must be tried, says brother
Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs. Idiat Adebule has congratulated the Chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation, Sam Omatseye, for his contributions to journalism.
Mrs. Adebule spoke at the weekend during the second edition of the reunion and reception dinner for former workers of Concord Press organised by the Great Concord Press Family (CFN).
The CFN honoured Omatseye as well as former editors, reporters and workers of African Concord, Business Concord, Weekend Concord and Midweek Concord, all owned by the late Bashorun M. K. O. Abiola.
Other recipients include Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, and Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
Also awarded were a former Special Assistant (Research) to the Delta State Governor, Mr Frank Igwebueze, publisher of Ovation magazine, Bashorun Dele Momodu, Chairman of Brilla FM, Dr. Larry Izamoje, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Communities and Communication Kehinde Bamigbetan, and Dr. Damola Olajumoke.
A special posthumous award was conferred on the late Dele Giwa, founder of Newswatch magazine, who was murdered with a parcel bomb on October 19, 1986.
Adebule, who was represented by a director in the Deputy Governor’s Office, Prince Kareem Dosunmu, congratulated the organisers for celebrating members who distinguished themselves in their calling.
She added: “The time is now appropriate for those of you who are successful to give back to society and, perhaps, consider initiating a Trust/Welfare Fund to take care of these indigent members.”
Omatseye urged the organisers to broaden the scope of subsequent reunions.
He said: “I feel honoured. I left the paper in 1997, so, for me to be given this award 19 years later, it’s quite an honour. It’s also an opportunity to meet with people one has not met for many years; there’s this sense of gregarious joy.”
Mr Tunde Giwa, who received the award in memory of his elder brother, Dele Giwa, thanked the organisers for the honour.
He told The Nation that the Giwa family suffered following the death of its breadwinner, and urged President Muhammadu Buhari to reopen the 30-year-old case.
Giwa said: “The killer, till now, we know him, but he’s untouchable. We’re crying for a reopening of the case because his killer is out there, walking freely. You can’t touch him, but I believe that the present government has integrity.
“President Buhari does not fear anyone and if the government can do what is happening now to judges, I believe it can touch anybody. And that is the only thing that can gladden my heart, when I see the suspected killer in the dock. We’re still hopeful.”
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Adebule, Senator Tinubu lament women’s discrimination
Advocates of women emancipation got at the weekend allies in Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule and the Senator representing Lagos Central Mrs Oluremi Tinubu. The duo called for collaboration among African countries for the emancipation of women.
They made the call at the South Africa’s National Women’s Day Celebration organised by the South African High Commission in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA).
Mrs Adebule said there was the need to achieve effective synergy to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goal Five which promote gender equality and empowerment of women in Africa.
Women, she said, must be treated with honour and dignity.
Her words: “Women are still being discriminated against in many countries. They are still not well represented in the political and most decision-making processes. Domestic violence is on the increase, the girl-child is exposed to all forms of abuse such as rape, prostitution, child labour and early marriages.
“We still need a collective will to address and remove all barriers to the full emancipation of women in our society.” she said.
Mrs Adebule said the state government would continue to accord women their right of place and encourage equal access to opportunities in areas of endeavour.
Senator Tinubu said there was the need for African women to support, uplift, encourage and celebrate one another.
She urged women to work together to achieve a collective empowerment in the face of a male-dominated society.
She said: “We need increased participation that represents our population in politics to enable us to feel more relevant as productive members of the society.
“If we want to make the 21 century the woman’s century, we cannot wait to be called ‘leaders’, we must naturally embrace that role.”
South African Consulate-General Mr Darkey Africa, stressed the importance of women in any given society being nurturers of great nations.
The envoy said women contributed and fought for the emancipation of women in South Africa and created an enabling society for generations unborn.
He urged Nigerian women to stand up, support and encourage one another to promote more participation in the socio-economic and political spheres.
The Women Affairs Commissioner, Mrs Lola Akande, identified women and children as the most vulnerable in any depressed economy.
She urged women to become more socio-economically prominent.
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Adebule admonishes teachers on development
No fewer than 350 teachers of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), have been trained on service delivery and personal development.
The training, facilitated by a nongovernmental organisation, African Child Education Right Initiatives (ACERI), held at the SUBEB Hall, Maryland.
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, advised the teachers to continually improve on their skills and knowledge in order to be effective role models and nation- builders.
Represented by Tutor-General Permanent Secretary (TGPS), Education District II, Mrs Margaret Solarin, Dr Adebule said: “You need to take cognisance of the growing trends and impact of ICT (Information Communications Technology) revolution in education. Learning is life-long. You must continue to seek new ideas by reading books and attending training programmes and workshops for capacity and personal development.”
She noted that the present administration has “committed a huge amount of resources to expose our personnel to quality training and capacity development, knowing that it will help them perform excellently and optimally.”
Earlier, ACERI Executive Director, Mr Yinka Olaito, who facilitated the ‘annexing new technology and internet tools’ training, stressed the importance of basic education in the total development of a child.
He said: “Since teachers’ quality and performance at basic level are essential, concerted efforts from varied stakeholders are required if Nigeria must produce quality and qualified workforce. In resolving this, we call on stakeholders in education sector to put in their widow’s mite.”
During his training, Mr Olaito told the teachers to get rid of excuses. “It is the only way you can improve yourself,” Olaito said, adding: “set a goal for personal development. Let it be so big that you call yourself crazy. When you develop yourself, it is about people seeing the potential in you.”
Mr Sam Mba, who trained the teachers on personal performance and evaluation, said: “Don’t see the children as your students, but as your people. To mentor them, you must earn their respect. Know their strengths and weaknesses so that you can guide their choice of career.”
A participant, Mrs Caroline Iwuaoku of Metropolitan Nursery and Primary School, Apapa, said of the exercise: “It is very educative. They have trained us on how to be innovative in our teaching. I do mentor my children and I guide them morally and academically. I now know how to use the internet to browse and expand my knowledge. As a Nigerian, we are supposed to read a lot to keep abreast of things happening around us. It will help us improve our teaching and our knowledge.”
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Akiolu, Adebule, Gbajabiamila join forces against terrorism
Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule, Lagos monarch Oba Rilwan Akiolu and House of Representatives Majority Leader Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, yesterday called for a collaborative efforts in the fight against terrorism.
The trio spoke at Dodan Barracks Prayer Ground in Ikoyi, Lagos after Eid-il-Fitr prayer.
Adebule said meaningful and sustainable development could only be actualised in the country in an atmosphere of peace.
She said: “We all need to know that it is only when we have peace that government can achieve sustainable national development.
“‘The bombing in Saudi-Arabia, Baghdad and other countries is an unfortunate and condemnable situation.
“And we need to be reminded that Islam condemns bombing, killing and terrorism, and Islam does not uphold anything that hurts humanity.
“As we celebrate the end of Ramadan, we as Muslims and Nigerians need to examine our essence in life, pay attention to what is happening around us and embrace peace and love for one another.
“That is the way to achieve progress and prosperity in Lagos State and in the nation at large,’’ she said.
The deputy governor thanked the residents for maintaining harmonious co-existence and urged them to be vigilant and report any form of strange movements and activities in their environment.
Akiolu urged Nigerians to support the Federal Government in the fight against terrorism and corruption.
“The Federal Government alone cannot fight terrorism and corruption which are the major challenges Nigeria is facing today. The state and local governments as well as Nigerians must be a part of this fight,’’ the Lagos paramount traditional ruler said.
Gbajabiamila urged Muslim clerics not to relent in the teaching of the principles of Islam to curb the spread of religious extremism.
Police Commissioner Mr Fatai Owoseni, urged Muslims to sustain the lessons of Ramadan and avoid violence and activities that could cause chaos in the society.
“All the vices we have been able to avoid and restrain ourselves from during the 30 days Ramadan should be sustained.
“And I advise Nigerians to avoid violence and anything that can cause chaos in the country. They should be very observant, vigilant and security conscious,’’ Owoseni said.
Chief Imam of Lagos Sheikh Garuba Akinola Ibrahim, who led the prayer, called for love and tolerance among Nigerians, irrespective of religion and tribe.
Sheikh Ibrahim urged Muslims not to consider the celebration as an occasion for merry-making only but that which called for sober reflection and rededication to the service of God and humanity.
A Medical Director at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebutte-Meta Dr Munirat Jinadu, said no nation would prosper or develop without love and tolerance among its people.
Jinadu urged Muslims to imbibe love and live in peace with people of other religion as exemplified by Prophet Mohammed.
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Sultan, Akiolu, Adebule for Adegbite Qur’an competition
Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule, Lagos monarch Oba Riliwan Akiolu, Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, wife of Osun State Governor Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola and MSSN National (Amir) President Ustaz Muhammad Jameel Muhammad will lead other prominent dignitaries to the Grand Finale of the Biennial Qur’an Memorisation Competition.
The event, organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos State Area Unit will hold on Sunday at the Gymnasium Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef will deliver lecture on The Divine Compendium for Governance.
MSSN Amir (President) Mallam Saheed Ashafa said oher expected guests include former Lagos State Deputy Governors Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu and Alhaja Latefah Okunnu, Senator Ganiyu Solomon; Arowoshadini of Nigeria, Alhaja Muinat Shopeyin-Akande; Iyalode of Lagos and President, Fatimah Charity Foundation, Hajia Bintu-Fatimah Tinubu; Amirah, Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Lagos State chapter Dr Sariyu Ashiru, National Officers of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (South West Zone); Chief Executive Officer, Jaiz Zakat and Waqf Trust Fund, Imam Abdullah Shuaib and Director Muslim Right Concern, (MURIC), Professor Lakin Akintola.
The competition, Ashafa said, was meant to honour MSSN pioneer Amir (President) and former Secretary-General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) the late Dr AbdulLateef Adegbite.
Ashafa said the competition is to ensure encouraged Muslim youths to learn and memorise the Qur’an.
He said: “We organise this competition to ensure that the knowledge of the Quran does not fade away with the numerous distractions confronted by Muslim youths in the challenging society that we find ourselves. This Project aims amongst others to stimulate the penchant for reading, pondering and memorising the Qur’an among Muslim youths. It is also aimed at engaging critical state actors on socio-economic development as enunciated by God in the Qur’an.
“MSSN Lagos State has pioneered the execution of this project since 1999. We have provided the platform upon which a sizeable number of youths in the Southwest have realised their potentials and are now Huffaaz (memorizers) of the Qur’an. We equally have produced youths who have represented the country in international competitions.”
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Govt will not tolerate violence against child , says deputy governor Adebule
Lagos State is spending N113.3billion of its N662billion budget on education this year, Deputy Governor Dr Idiat Adebule has said.
She said the education vote was a third of the Federal Government’s N369billion for the sector.
Speaking at the Children’s Day at the Police College Parade Ground in Ikeja on Friday, Mrs Adebule, said the budget reflected the priority his administration places on education.
She said the priority would also reflect on how people who abuse children would be treated, noting that the government is in the forefront of “Stopping violence against children”, which is the theme of this year’s Children’s Day celebration.
She said: “Recent findings from Violence Against Children (VAC) survey have disclosed that six out of every 10 (60 per cent) children under age 18 are being abused in the society, especially by the people they refer to as family members.
“My beloved children, let me assure you all of our determination and commitment towards ensuring that anyone who engages in any form of abuse and violence against any child shall be appropriately dealt with under the law.”
The state, he said, would no longer tolerate child abuse, domestic violence, child trafficking or violation of any law on the development of children.
Anyone caught violating the Child Rights law either through child abuse, trafficking or domestic violence, he said, would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
She warned perpetrators of these acts to desist, lamenting that they are becoming the norm today rather than an aberration.
Mrs Adebule said the One –meal- a- day for pupils would soon begin, adding that the distribution of special tablets containing their academic curriculum is also receiving attention to enhance effective teaching/learning possible through the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT).
At a Children’s Day celebration organised by Lagos Television (LTV), Mrs Adebule called on parents to always be available for their children.
She said: “We need to know that our roles as parents does not end at just providing them books and uniforms but we should also be prepared to listen to them always. If we don’t make ourselves accessible to our children, they would not be able to talk with us.”
The deputy governor urged the children to be security conscious as child trafficking and abuse are on the rise.
Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Mrs Lola Akande at another event, said violence against children comes in different forms, adding that the act causes physical and emotional harm to the growth of the child.
Mrs Akande enjoined parents to teach their children the virtues of honesty, dedication and love, saying no duty is more important to parents than to ensure that their children are cared for and protected.
The governor’s wife, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, represented by Prof Ibiyemi Bello, described children as priceless gifts from God and fountains of joy to parents.
She described Children’s Day as a day set aside to celebrate children and draw government’s attention to their challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the children, Lagos State Children Parliament Speaker Tobi Daniel thanked government and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation for hosting the children to a grand celebration to mark the 2016 Children’s Day.
At the Academic Conference for the Primary and Secondary School pupils organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Area Council, Mushin, Lagos to commemorate the Children’s Day in Ilupeju, the President, Mallam AbdulJeleel Gbadamosi urged parents to monitor the television programmes their children watch.
“Parents are meant to play an essential role in the upbringing of the child’s in order to be useful to the society. Most of the children both in primary and secondary schools are being exposed to social media site such as Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram and so on which most of their contents are non-educative. This, in turn corrupt the minds of these young folks and affect their academic performance,” he said.