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Tag: Dr Idiat Adebule

  • Tinubu, Adebule, others drum support for Ambode’s re-election

    Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Idiat Adebule and the Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos chapter, Chief Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Chief Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, have urged women to work hard to ensure Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s second term victory in the 2019 general election.

    They noted that the 2015 electoral victory and subsequent accomplishments of Governor Ambode in the last three years were as a result of the total support which women gave his administration.

    They made the remarks in their separate addresses during the inaugural thanksgiving service of APC Women Forum, Lagos State to mark the successful completion of the party’s recent congresses and national convention, tagged: “APC Women- A New Dawn,” held at the party Secretariat, ACME Road.

    While commending women for supporting the Ambode-led administration, the Deputy Governor said: “With your support, we have been able to do a lot of things.

    “Your support has been very tremendous and has taken us thus far”.

    She urged women to support the new executive of APC, saying: “if things are moving well, it is because of the support the government receives from all, especially the women.”

    The Deputy Governor, who commended the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his countless efforts to sustain the party, made women to pledge their support for the APC leadership.

    “Work has begun. As we work for the party, let us take care of our husbands and children,” she urged.

    In her address, Okoya-Thomas urged women to join hands with her in the sensitisation of women ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    She said: “I appeal to all women to continue the campaign for our party at the grassroots and to participate in the ongoing continuous voter registration (CVR) and collection of the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVCs) to ensure active participation in the election and thereby ensure Ambode’s victory

    Okoya-Thomas stressed the need for continuous peace, harmony and unity among women to deliver more than two million votes for the party in the 2019 general elections.

    Also commending the efforts of Tinubu in piloting the affairs of the party both at National and states levels, the women leader noted that the state government had exceeded 30 per cent affirmative action for women, even as she urged women to participate more in politics and recruit their children as well for the party’s victory in 2019.

    Wife of the state governor, Abimbola, who was represented by Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke, congratulated Okoya-Thomas on her recent election as women leader, describing it, “as a round peg in a round hole. I have no doubt in my mind of your ability to deliver.

    “God will surely continue to stand by you in all your endeavours” she said.

    Iyaloja-General, Tinubu-Ojo, commended Ambode’s administration for outstanding performance.

    She said: “The governor will be voted for second term in 2019.

    “I can assure you that the women leaders of APC, traders and others will support the dreams and aspirations of the party.”

    In his address, Chairman of APC, Mr. Babatunde Balogun, expressed his appreciation on behalf of the party to women for their unalloyed support. He said: ”No party is as big as APC and the party will overcome all its challenges.”

    Balogun, however, urged APC women to encourage more women to join the party and register for the 2019 elections before the exercise ends in August.

    “The women leader will begin a tour of markets to sensitise and mobilise women for the victory of APC. The state voter register should therefore, reflect the population of the state,” he said.

    The party’s Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe  said: “APC is fully on ground in Lagos State and I therefore, appeal to all the members to work towards the party’s victory in next year’s general elections.

    Earlier, Christian and Muslim prayers were offered for the party and Lagos State as well as victory for the party in 2019 general polls.

    Among dignitaries that attended the event were former Lagos State Deputy Governors, Adeleye Ogunleye and Mrs Sarah Rowan Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Lola Amanda Former Secretary to Lagos State Government (SSG), Aderniran Ogunsanya , Secretary Lagos APC, Mr Wale Ahmed and many members.

  • School seeks help as it unveils new building

    IT was with joy that the proprietors, staff, parents, pupils and well-wishers inaugurated a  new building at the permanent site of the Grande Oakbridge Montessori  School in Osapa London, Lekki recently.

    The four-storey facility is bigger than the six three-bedrooms flat that the school used for the first 12 years of its existence.

    The new building, which  boasts of 27 classrooms, crèche, offices, hall, sick bay, reception, kitchen, staff room, Home Economics laboratory, science laboratory, library, and 26 toilets all connected by three stairwells, was inaugurated by the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, who was represented by the Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs Ronke Soyombo.

    In her speech, the school’s Executive Director, Mrs Royeke Obalade, shared how she spent 12 years equipping herself to start the school with the support of her husband, Yinka, a trained mathematics teacher-turned accountant.

    She said the new building gulped  N250,000,000 – N143,000,000 of which was obtained by loan from Meristem after the proprietors ran out of money.  The loan is to be repaid in five years.

    She said it was erroneous to think that private school proprietors made tons of money from running schools and called for help from public-spirited individuals to equip the new school building.

    “The school resumed in this new site on January 8, 2018 but still needs to equip and furnish the new building. It is obvious that we cannot achieve this on our own, and so we are appealing for you invited guests’ assistance to sponsor any of the items listed below in order for us to continue to render wholesome education to our students: air conditioners for the hall, interactive white board, piano, drum sets, transformer and its Installation, Home Economic laboratory equipment, science laboratory furniture and equipment, generator, and beds for after school care,” she said.

    Since January, Mrs Obalade said the school had depended on generator for power because the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) had asked them to get a transformer that would cost N6 million.

    These challenges notwithstanding, Mrs Obalade said the school has been able to deliver on quality education – with parents commending the transformation in their children.

    Speaking further about the school, Mr Yinka Obalade, who chairs its board of directors, said: “Our education is holistic.  We are not only interested in academics but in the totality of each student.  We have a curriculum for everything.  A child that goes to Grande Oakbridge cannot be compared to others.”

    Dignitaries at the event included Aare Bashir Olawale Fakorede a business mogul; Mr Alex Okoh, Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE); Mr Oluwole Oduyemi, former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Prof Solomon Akinboye, Dean School of Postgraduate Studies,  University of Lagos; Prof Segun Ajibola, Caleb University; and members of Board of Directors, Rev  Samson Adedokun, Mr Lai Babatunde (SAN), and Prof Grace Otinwa.

  • ‘Why FG’s school feeding programme has yet to take off in Lagos’

    The Lagos State Government said on Friday that the Federal Government’s school feeding programme had yet to take off in the state because of some logistics.

    The state government said it was still assessing FG’s N70 feeding rate per pupil which it described as unrealistic, just as it has begun training of environmental officers who would screen the food vendors before the commencement of the programme.

    Dr Idiat Adebule, the Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Education, said this in Alausa at a media briefing to mark the 3rd anniversary of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration.

    She said there was need for proper planning and assessment to ensure adequate meals for the pupils.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had during 2014 electioneering promised free daily meals for public primary school pupils across the country.

    In fulfillment of the promise, the administration in 2016 introduced the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) which has commenced in some states.

    The deputy governor said: “’Let me state categorically that the number of students in Lagos State schools is about the students in five to six states put together. We just have to plan properly to ensure no student is left out.

    ‘“The Federal Government feeding rate per student is N70 is not realistic. After thorough assessment, we realised that we will need more than N70 to provide adequate meal per student.

    ‘“I’m happy to announce to you that we have engaged the office in charge at the federal level as well as the State Ministries of Agriculture and Health.

    “Last Tuesday, we commenced the training of environmental officers who will screen food vendors to ensure adequate hygiene and prevent any form of infection.

    “The process that will kick-start the school feeding programme in the state is ongoing and we will commence soon.

    ‘“Lagos State is not known for shoddy programmes and we are gunning for nothing but the best.”

    Reeling out the achievements of the government in the year, Adebule disclosed that the state government had given out N40 million as car loans to 491 teachers, while N30 million housing loan was also approved for 38 teaching staff members.

    On child abuse, Adebule said 57 cases of rape and child abuses were reported and were being handled in different courts across the state.

    Also as part of efforts to promote literacy among adults, she said more than 20, 488 adults had been enrolled as at March 2018 with the centres increasing from 250 to 798.

    “The Gov. Ambode led-administration is targeting to ensure that 95 per cent of residents can at least read and write.

    “Our vision is to be a model of excellence in the provision of quality education for the attainment of self-reliance and the socio-economic development of the state,” she said. (NAN)

  • Lagos schools: More kidnappers camps demolished

    Lagos schools: More kidnappers camps demolished

    The Lagos State Police Command yesterday said there would be no more kidnapping in schools following the destruction of over 200 camps hitherto operated by men of the underworld.

    Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, gave the assurance at a one-day workshop for stakeholders on the safety of pupils and members of staff of Model Colleges and upgraded secondary schools, organised by the state’s Ministry of Education.

    He spoke on “The roles and expectations of security agencies in securing lives and properties in our Schools” at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, in Ikeja.

    Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule, was guest of honour at the workshop which was held ahead of the 2017/2018 academic calendar scheduled for next Monday.

    Imohimi, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Mr. Bolaji Salami, said kidnapping was not peculiar to Lagos State or Nigeria.

    He said the Command will deploy armed officers to some model colleges, especially schools in riverine areas so as to forestall kidnapping. Armed personnel will also provide 24-hour security at boarding schools.

    Dr. Adebule said the state’s Special Task Force had been directed to embark on demolition exercise of all illegal shanties located around all public schools.

    Adebule, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Adesina Odeyemi, said the workshop would sensitise stakeholders so as to prevent a recurrence of abductions in public schools as well as ensure pupils, staff are safe and secure.

    She spoke on the theme of the workshop; “Towards a safe and secure learning environment.”

    Adebule said: “The state Special Task Force has been directed to commence demolition of illegal structures and shanties built within the set-backs and environment of public schools beginning from next week.

    “Therefore, the school administrators should be vigilant that those displaced do not return and, in case you observe the return of the displaced people, you should alert the state government and officials of the state task force immediately, in order to do the needful.

    “The future of our children depends on quality education and their safety will not be compromised as they are commencing a new academic session next week Monday. We all have to be on the same page on security, we have to be proactive in order to ensure a smooth sailing 2017/2018 academic session.

    “However, there is a new phase of in security challenges that we have to deal with and that is the kidnap of schools students.”

  • Keep to calendar, proprietors urged

    Ahead of the new school year beginning next Monday, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, has urged school owners to adhere to the unified school calendar for the 2017/2018 academic session.

    The admonition was contained in a statement signed by the Head, Public Affairs Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mr Olaniran Emmanuel.

    The statement reads in part: “All proprietors and school administrators are to ensure compliance to the Lagos State Government unified resumption date and the 2017/2018 unified school calendar.”

    Mrs Adebule also welcomed public and private school’ pupils back to school, assuring them of the government’s commitment to quality education service delivery.

    In pursuit of quality assurance in the new session, a task force from the Office of Education Quality Assurance sealed some private schools operating in unsafe and unconducive environments, and those without approval across the six education districts.

    Some of the affected schools, whose names were not made public, were directed to relocate to safer locations.

    OEQA Director-General, Mrs Ronke Soyombo, noted that the enforcement exercise was “to ensure quality teaching and learning in conducive, healthy and secured school environment for pupils’’. She said Mrs Adebule frowned on the operation of schools within residential buildings, in dirty/unkempt environments, as well as those with inadequate classrooms and toilets, and the use of school premises as worship centres.

    She warned school owners whose schools were sealed against removing the closure or relocation notices on their schools, saying they would be sanctioned and prosecuted if they do.

    Mrs Soyombo advised parents to stop patronising substandard private schools because of the inherent dangers.

    “Conducive and standardised environment, quality teaching and learning, monitoring and evaluation of schools, safeguarding and child protection practice remains the prerequisite for approval of schools in the state,” the statement said.

    Prospective school owners were urged to visit the OEQA website for guidelines for setting up schools.

     

  • World Bank official in Lagos, renews partnership with state government

    World Bank official in Lagos, renews partnership with state government

    Impressed by the massive investment of the Lagos State Government in urban renewal and infrastructure, the World Bank said on Saturday that it would facilitate and mobilise the private sector to partner with the state government on the projects.

    Mr Joaquim Levy,  the Managing Director/Group Chief Financial Officer, gave the assurance in Lagos when he led the World Bank Group on a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule.

    Levy said Lagos State had shown commitment in mobilising the private sector and civil society organisations to drive development and improve the standard of living of the people.

    According to him, developed countries have been able to grow and sustain their economies through the adoption of public-private partnership.

    “Though, we have been working with Lagos State for many years, but we came to Nigeria to see how the private sector is performing so we can fashion out new ways to accelerate development in the country.

    “In Nigeria, Lagos State has been leading in many aspects like transportation, agriculture, environmental management, education, infrastructure and other developmental  projects.

    “We are very happy that the government is striving to directly impact on the lives of its citizens and the World Bank has come to further assist the government in some other challenging sectors such as the energy sector.

    “We are willing to assist the government and mobilise the private sector to help the government accelerate its urban renewal and infrastructural development to improve the living condition of the people,” Levy said.

    Levy lauded  for providing and mobilising resources to drive government activities in terms of development, saying “the people are seeing the results”.

    In her remarks, he deputy governor, who received the group on behalf of the state governor, said positive partnership was key to the development of any nation.

    She said the state government was ready to partner with the World Bank and the private sector to further boost and develop all the sectors of the economy.

    Adebule urged the group to also consider healthcare, environmental management, tourism, education, agriculture, energy and transportation as possible areas of collaboration.

    She said:“Your partnership with us in the past years has been very tremendous and we look forward to more of such collaborations, especially in some challenging sectors.

     

    “The government is judiciously expending the internally generated revenue to drive development, but more still needs to be done like in the area of potable water.

    ‘“Only 30 per cent of the people in the state have access to potable water and we need to really increase access to water.

    “The energy sector, education and water transportation are our areas of challenge and we need your assistance to surmount them,.”

    Adebule also appealed to the World Bank to intervene in the country’s exchange rate crises as a world financial body to get the country out of its economic challenges and put it back on the path of growth.

  • Lagos schools to resume April 18

    Lagos schools to resume April 18

    The Lagos State Ministry of Education, on Thursday, announced that public and private primary and secondary schools operating in the state would resume on April 18.

    Dr Idiat Adebule, the Deputy Governor of the state, who is also  the Commissioner for Education, made this announcement in a statement in Lagos.

    Mr Adesegun Ogundeji, Assistant Director, Public Affairs Unit in the ministry signed the statement.

    In the statement, Adebule said that private and public schools must adhere strictly to the 2016/2017 academic calendar.

    The deputy governor sent a goodwill message to all pupils and parents, wishing them Happy Easter, following the successful completion of the lent.

    She said that the 2016/2017 academic calendar was jointly agreed upon at the state education stakeholders’ meeting before the commencement of the academic year.

    According to her, the adoption of a uniform calendar will enable proper planning and ensure that pupils and students attend school for the number of days required per term.

  • Emulate Awolowo’s values, ideals to tackle today’s challenges – Ambode

    Emulate Awolowo’s values, ideals to tackle today’s challenges – Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has charged political leaders in the country to exemplify the noble character, values and ideals of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in tackling the challenges faced by the country today.

    The Governor gave the charge on Monday at the 2017 Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Lecture with the theme, “The Awolowo Legacy and Its Message to Nigerian Youths” held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos.

    “ At this difficult time in our nationhood, we surely  have some things to learn from his (Awolowo) ideas which are as relevant today as they were several decades back. They were not mere theoretical ideas,” he said.

    The governor who was represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, noted that the visible development that was experienced in the south west region bear testimony to the practicality of Chief Obafemi Awolowo progressive values and ideas.

    While urging the leaders of old and new generation to see the essence of leadership as an advancement of the welfare of the people, he said the solution to the challenges experienced today lies in our ability to be creative in our thinking and resolute in our determination to do what is right.

    While commending the organizers of the annual lecture for keeping alive the memories and legacy of the late sage, Ambode noted that the annual lecture is one way of preserving his legacy and acknowledging the historical role he played as an ideological politician, astute administrator, a prudent manager of resources and a visionary leader.

    The chairman of the occasion, General Yakubu Gowon, earlier in his address, noted that it was instructive that the lecture was directed at Nigerian youths, who at this critical time in the history of the nation need to benefit from the wisdom of age, the message of hope and the legacy of chief obafemi Awolowo.

    While describing the late sage as a loyal, focus and hardworking man General Gowon noted that he used his life to preach a message of hope for which two main key traits of character and self-discipline were most needed.

    Prof. Banjo Akintoye, an African historian and guest lecturer said it was the youths that had continued to suffer the brunt of the rot in the country.

    While saying the continued failure to plan for youths since independence contributed to the nation’s decline to the level of societal disorders of immorality and hopelessness, he urged the youths to emulate the attributes of late chief Awolowo and imbibe a purpose driven life that would impact on the society, the country and the world.

    In her opening remarks, the Executive Director of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, Dr. Olatokunboh Awolowo Dosunmu, noted that as the years gone by, the demographic of the devotees of the late sage’s vision, leadership and administrative style is now attracting younger people hence the theme of this year’s lecture.

    She noted that the foundation has over the years been able to retain its uncompromising commitment to chief Awolowo’s legacy due to the unparalleled interest of teeming Nigerians.

    She assured  that the foundation will keep to the legacy and passion of the late sage to build a virile and productive society.

  • Epe farmers seek JTF surveillance to curb kidnapping

    Epe farmers seek JTF surveillance to curb kidnapping

    Farmers and community leaders in Epe area of Lagos State on Monday urged the Military Joint Taskforce (JTF) to extend its mandate to the community, to curtail the rate of kidnapping in the area.

    They appealed to the Lagos State Government to seek the support of Defence Headquarters to extend the mandate of the JTF to the Igbodu/Isiwo axis of the community.

    The farmers and community leaders staged a peaceful protest at the Governor’s Office to demand government’s intervention to check kidnapping in the area.

    They had placards with inscriptions such as “Save us from Kidnappers’’, “Save Farmers, Save the Nation’’, “Please, Flush out the Creeks’’, “Food Security is Threatened’’ and “Save our Investments’’.

    Mr Ayokunle Ore, the spokesperson of the group, said their farms had been under sustained attacks by kidnappers since September 2016.

    Ore said that 33 persons had been kidnapped from different farms, with 26 released after paying ransoms and seven persons still missing and at the mercy of the kidnappers.

    He said that their complaints/petitions to the state government and engagement with security agencies such as the police, the military, the Odua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) and local vigilance groups, had not yielded a positive result.

    According to him, the high rate of kidnapping in the area needs to be handled as a matter of urgency as their investments have been negatively affected and their lives are at risk.

    ”With the desire to contribute our quota to national food security and sufficiency, we have invested our lifetime savings and borrowings from banks to establish farms in the agricultural belt created by the state government.

    ”Some of us even relocated from abroad to come and invest in farming to respond to government’s call for diversification of the economy.

    ”We estimate over N20 billion investments by small, medium and large-scale farmers in the area and now it is at grave risk.

    ”We urge Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode to intervene urgently and come to our rescue by seeking the support of JTF in the area to destroy the camps of these kidnappers.

    ”They should extend the mandate of the JTF (Operation Awatse), currently in Ikorodu and Festac, to also cover the Igbodu/Isiwo axis and adjourning creeks,” Ore said.

    Addressing the protesters, the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, condemned the incessant attacks by kidnappers in the area.

    She said that in spite of government’s efforts to make the state safe and livable for residents and investors, some scrupulous persons still engage in crimes and make life difficult for people.

    “Security issues are sensitive issues, and the government is not resting on its oars. We are doing all we can to restore peace in the area.

    “Currently, the state government is speaking with the Federal Government to see how they can work with us to combat the problem of insecurity because we cannot do it alone.

    “Government cannot be involved in paying a ransom but will ensure that it provides the security agencies with necessary equipment and support to contain the situation and rescue the victims.

    “We sympathise with you and we beg for your understanding. I will relay you complaints to Gov. Ambode for further and appropriate action on the matter,” Adebule said.

  • Lagos teachers tasked on development plan

    Lagos teachers tasked on development plan

    The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, on Wednesday urged public school head teachers to come up with a school development plan in 2017, to improve basic education and enhance students’ personalities.

    Adebule, who is also the state Commissioner for Education, made the call at the end of the year programme for Lagos State Primary Schools Head Teachers organised by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in Lagos.

    She said also urged them to make school improvement the first and foremost responsibility, to improve education standard.

    ”The government appreciates all your contributions to the development of primary education and has decided to approve teacher’s promotion with all financial benefits. Running cost to school managers has also been increased.

    ”I’m appealing that we continue to do what is right, be dedicated, disciplined and shun all forms of malpractice in the profession so that the state government can do more for our teachers.

    ”Always be reminded that the duty of moulding leaders who will make or mar our nation’s future, is in your hands, ”Adebule said.

    Also speaking, the Wife of the State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, urged teachers to be disciplined, dedicated and to double their efforts in moulding and preparing the students for leadership roles in future.

    ”Your dedication and improved attitude to work earned our primary education the best in the country.

    ”The reward for hard work is more work. I appeal that you continue to adhere to the ethics of your profession so that Lagos State will continue to be a pacesetter in the country’s education sector, ” Ambode said.

    In his address, Dr Ganiyu Sopeyin, Executive Chairman, Lagos SUBEB, said that in spite of the economic recession, the state recorded huge improvement in the education sector.

    ”The state’s education sector has experienced infrastructural upgrade, regular training of teachers, improved welfare packages for teachers. All these improved teaching and learning performance in our schools.

    ”These achievements would not have been possible without the immense support and efforts of the Gov. Ambode-led administration; I urge our teachers to continue to support government’s efforts, ” he said.

    Mr Adesegun Raheem, Chairman, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State Wing, urged the state government to sustain the improvement in the sector.

    ”The year 2016 was a good year for Lagos as it recorded labour-friendly activities and the state won the best in primary education,” Raheem said.

    Mrs Oluwatoyin Edu, Chairperson, Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), Lagos State Wing, commended the state government for improving education at all levels in the state.

    ”We recorded increased population of students in our public schools as well as improved academic performance due to enhanced school development.

    ”We promise to continue to do our best to reciprocate the confidence reposed on us by the state government,” Edu said.