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Tag: Lagos State Deputy Governor

  • Women empower girls at SHE Tech Fair

    Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule has urged parents to champion the campaign to demystify the stereotypical belief that girls are not suited to science-related careers.

    She spoke while giving the opening remark at the SHE Science and Technology Fair organised by the Christopher Kolade Foundation (CKF) at Habour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Dr Adebule, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s office, Mrs Yetunde Odejayi, also underscored the need to boost girls’ confidence to take up STEM careers.

    She said: “Though currently girls and women remain underrepresented in the science and technology fields, this is not as a result of difference in intellectual capacity but due to stereotypes of parents who believe it is awkward for girls pursuing successful career paths in this field.

    “The challenge is, therefore, on all stakeholders including parents, the teachers and the society to help change the mindset of our girls and demystify the falsehood of science and technology being the stronghold or exclusive rights of boys.

    Interestingly, CKF did just that during the event as it paraded an array of successful women in STEM who shared their stories with over 532  SS2 and SS3 pupils being supported by the Foundation to embrace Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

    A panel of three women scientists moderated by Mrs Oreoluwa Lesi, CEO, Women’s Technology Centre (W.TEC) advised  the girls to follow their dreams, put in the hard work, and develop themselves.

    Mrs Margaret Ajiboye, Sales leader, Cummins West Africa, revealed how her engineering education and passion for fixing things led her into product specialisation, sales and even a stint as lecturer. She said she was driven by a desire to develop those coming behind.

    For Mrs Olamide Ayeni-Babajide of Pearl Recycling, life began to take shape following a challenge from her father when she was only seven and wanted to give up because of bullying that she could be the best regardless of what others did around her.

    She told how her exceptional brilliance led her to a rapid education and successful computer engineering career where she earned as much as 35,000 dollars. However, she said she gave it all up to pursue her passion to rid Lagos of waste by turning waste tyres into furniture, jewelry, others.

    “I earned my pay as an engineer. I worked for six years with my computer engineering certificate. I got almost 10 international certifications. I was being paid 35,000 dollars. But I woke up one day and wanted to resign. I asked myself what I would do if I was not afraid. I told myself I would change the face of waste problem. Today, I am known for my work with Pearl Recycling not as an engineer,” she said.

    For Country Director of Andela Nigeria, Mrs Omowale David-Ashiru, her message to the girls was continuous self-development.

    Mrs David-Ashiru, who was represented by Taiwo Judah-Ajayi, Senior Director, Human Resource for Andela, counseled the girls to go for roles they may not necessarily qualify for, but have the potential to perform in if they eliminate distractions.

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    The Keynote Speaker, Mrs Onyeche Tifase, charged the girls to have the right attitude and be willing to take up challenges on the job like she did until she became the first female Managing Director of Siemens Nigeria.

    “Focus on being the best you can be. Continue to build and believe in yourselves. Don’t be comfortable; challenge yourself,” she said.

    Earlier in his welcome address, the founder, CKF, Dr Christopher Kolade, told the girls their future would be determined by decisions they take today.

    “We are asking you to know today that you are the leaders we are now training, waiting for your opportunities tomorrow. If you are the leaders today, it means you have started taking decisions now. In order to take good decisions today, what you need to do is to have a vision of what your tomorrow will look like,” he said.

    Consultant coordinator of the foundation, Omobola Lana, said the participating students were exposed to hands-on science/technology, leadership and remedial training to encourage them to take up STEM careers.

  • Lagos restates commitment to education

    Lagos State Deputy Governor  Dr Idiat Adebule has reiterated the government’s commitment to innovative reforms and massive investment in education.

    Mrs Adebule spoke during this year’s  Honours Day and inauguration of Students Diplomatic Corps (SDC) in the Education District, I  at the Government Senior College, Agege, Lagos.

    Represented by Mr Oluremi Awoyera, Director, Modern Apprenticeship Training and Programme, Ministry of Education. Adebule said: “We must encourage our children to be whatever they want to be in life. It is our responsibility as teachers and parents to discover in our children their latent abilities.

    “I want to reiterate that our administration will continue to channel more investments in the future of our children through partnership with stakeholders in education. We will continue to focus on innovative reforms and strategic planning in the education sector to ensure that our children would compete favourably with their peers internationally.

    “More of our attention would be geared towards capacity development of teaching and non-teaching personnel in all public schools. This is to ensure that our children are provided with required skills and further move our education system forward.”

    Mrs Adebule congratulated the award winners and the district on their sterling performance in the last academic year, urging them not to rest on their oars.

    Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of the district Dr Olufolayimika Ayandele recalled that 92 of the 506 that won various awards in the 2017/2018 academic session in the district were given honours and graduated into its SDC because of their outstanding performance.

    “In this district, no stone is ever left unturned in transforming the lives of the students. Various student-friendly methods like peer mentoring, group studies on the part of the students and groups mentoring among teachers are instituted,” Ayandele said.

    Ayandele added that the maiden edition of the SDC instituted during the last academic session has gingered a lot of students to strive for excellence.

    According to her, students in the district have worked hard, carried out intensive  studies and displayed impeccable  character to be deserving of awards.

    Wife of Pastor Tunde Bakare of Latter Rain Assembly, Mrs. Layide Bakare praised the students for striving for excellence.

  • Women empower girls at SHE Tech Fair

    Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Adebule, has urged parents to champion the campaign to demystify the stereotypical belief that girls are not suited to science-related careers.

    She spoke while giving the opening remark at the SHE Science and Technology Fair organised by the Christopher Kolade Foundation (CKF) at Habour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Dr Adebule, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Deputy Governor’s office, Mrs Yetunde Odejayi, also underscored the need to boost girls’ confidence to take up STEM careers.

    She said: “Though currently girls and women remain underrepresented in the science and technology fields, this is not as a result of difference in intellectual capacity but due to stereotypes of parents who believe it is awkward for girls pursuing successful career paths in this field.

    “The challenge is therefore on all stakeholders including parents, the teachers and the society to help change the mindset of our girls and demystify the falsehood of science and technology being the stronghold or exclusive rights of boys.

    Interestingly, CKF did just that during the event as it parraded an array of successful women in STEM who shared their stories with over 532 SS2 and SS3 pupils being supported by the Foundation ot embrace Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

    A panel of three women scientists moderated by Mrs Oreoluwa Lesi, CEO, Women’s Technology Centre (W.TEC) to the girls to follow their dreams, put in the hard work, and develop themselves.

    Mrs Margaret Ajiboye, Sales leader, Cummins West Africa, told how her engineering education and passion for fixing things led her into product specialisation, sales and even a stint as lecturer. She said she was driven by a desire to develop those coming behind.

    “My training as an engineer is about who is the next person that would replace me. My inspiration is to see myself replicated many young people,” she said.

    For Mrs Olamide Ayeni-Babajide of Pearl Recycling, life began to take shape following a challenge from her father when she was only seven and wanted to give up because of bullying that she could be the best regardless of what others did around her.

    She told how her exceptional brilliance led her to a rapid education and successful computer engineering career where she earned as much as 35,000 dollars. However, she said she gave it all up to pursue her passion to rid Lagos of waste by turning waste tires into furniture, jewelry, others.

    “I earned my pay as an engineer. I worked for six years with my computer engineering certificate. I got almost 10 international certifications. I was being paid 35,000 dollars. But I woke up one day and wanted to resign. I asked myself what I would do if I was not afraid. I told myself I would change the face of waste problem. Today, I am known for my work with Pearl Recycling not as an engineer,” she said.

    For Country Director of Andela Nigeria, Mrs Omowale David-Ashiru, her message to the girls was continuous self development.

    Mrs David-Ashiru, who was represented by Taiwo Judah-Ajayi, Senior Director, Human Resource for Andela, counseled the girls to go for roles they may not necessarily qualify for but have the potential to perform in if they eliminate distractions.

    “Every day you may be faced with things that could make you doubt yourself. It may be true but there is something called potential. Performance is potential minus distraction. Take out the distraction,” she said.

    The Keynote Speaker, Mrs Onyeche Tifase summed it up with a charge to the girls to have the right attitude and be willing to take up challenges on the job like she did until she became the first woman Managing Director of Siemens Nigeria.

    “Focus on being the best you can be. Continue to build and believe in yourselves.  Don’t be comfortable; challenge yourself,” she said.

    Earlier in his welcome address, the founder, CKF, Dr Christopher Kolade, told the girls their future would be determined by decisions they take today.

  • Speak out against domestic violence, Ambode’s wife, Adebule urge women

    LAGOS State Deputy Governor Dr Oluranti Adebule and wife of the governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode  have urged women  to speak out against domestic violence, child abuse, rape and teenage pregnancy, among other vices.

    They spoke at the Lagos Women’s Forum, which held at the Police College, Ikeja. The event was organised to address women’s health and recurring social vices in the society.

    It was supported by Power Oil, a healthy cooking oil as part of its   efforts to intensify the advocacy for a healthy living and other well-being measures, especially among women in  the society.

    Wife of the first civilian governor of the state Alhaja Abimbola Jakande; Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the state Head of Service (HoS) Mrs. Folasade Adesoye were some of the dignitaries at the event.

    With the theme: Woman…your health, your social environment,  Mrs Ambode said sound health is one of life’s greatest blessings, hence the need to encourage and educate women to live in good health for longer life and optimal performance in all aspects of life.

    She said: “Good health is the gateway to everything. To have good health, we need to take care of our body, mind and soul. It is when we have good health that we can run around for business and engage in other activities.”

    While also condemning the spate of social vices in the state, Mrs Ambode urged women to voice out their discontent with domestic violence, child abuse, rape and teenage pregnancy.

    She said: “Importantly, too, we would be examining the rights of women under the law in the face of persistent social problems. When we know our rights, we can speak better and act better to protect ourselves if and when those circumstances arise.”

    She reminded women of their role as mothers and co-ordinators of the family unit, which, according to her, imposed on them the responsibility of bringing up their children in the most decent way for a decent and moral society.

    According to her, good health is a prerequisite for every other thing, including good attention to children and family, business and political activities.

    “It is when we have good health that we can run around for business, take care of our homes, our children or engage in political activities. When we have sound health, we can better attend to all issues and concerns,” she said.

    Mrs Adebule said the forum provided a platform for women to say “enough” to challenges they were facing. “We should no longer be stereotyped into silence, but become vocal advocates for an improved health delivery system and social justice for women in Lagos State and the country,” she said.

    Mrs Adebule said it was unfortunate that 23 years after the Beijing Declaration, women were still facing many health and social problems.

    She urged women to embrace sustainable advocacy and take conscious action of their health and how they are treated by the society at large.

    “We should no longer be stereotyped into silence, but become vocal advocates for improved health delivery system and social justice for women in the state and the country.

    “As critical stakeholders, our role must be focused on investing and increasing access of more girls and women to good health, quality education; ensuring that laws that respect and ensure the rights of women are enforced and help create gender-posture media messages that support women and girls in distress,” she said.

    Power Oil Public Relations Manager, Omotayo Azeez-Abiodun, said the firm was delighted to align with such a laudable health awareness and well-being programme, particularly  women in the society.

    The programme, she said, shared similar values with what the brand stands for  Healthy Living and general well being.

    According to her, because of the multi-functional nature of women, they equally deserve healthy state  to carry out their duties efficiently. “This one of the reasons it is recommended that they take advantage of the free health check up and medical consultation opportunity, which Power Oil health camp offers, Omotayo stated.

    A Director from the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mrs Modupeola Adebambo,  said sexually- abused children have the tendency to be sexually active and be exposed to teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and alcohol addiction, among others.

    She appealed to parents not to abuse their children, urging them to teach them sexual education because of the danger inherent in sexual abuse.

    Office of Public Defender (OPD) Director Olayinka Adeyemi, also urged women to speak out against domestic violence and report such cases to the OPD for legal action.

     

  • Teachers urged to use instructional media

    The Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule has said instructional materials are valuable to modern teaching and learning.

    Speaking at the Grand Finale of the Lagos State Festival of Instructional materials last Tuesday, Dr Adebule, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Adesina Odeyemi, said teachers should learn to make them from locally-available resources and use them in their classes.

    She said the festival, which had as theme: “Effective use of instructional materials in inclusive education: Making room for diverse learning needs” was designed to encourage creativity among teachers and pupils.

    She implored teachers to take advantage of the Education Resource Centre to update their knowledge and get new ideas about various instructional materials that could concretise learning.

    The Deputy Governor said research had shown that using locally-made learning resources made learning easier and more interesting.

    Earlier, the Director, Administartion and Human Resources, Mrs Folashade Lediju, in a welcome address delivered on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, said the use of Instructional materials and educational technology provides equal of opportunities in the process of teaching and learning.

    The guest speaker, Dr. S. O. Adenle said instructional materials encourage creativity among teachers and students and made learning easier.

    During the festival, primary and secondary schools showcased locally-made instructional materials they produced.

    Judges adjudged Education District IV, Sabo, the District with the best Instructional materials while Ogudu Senior Grammar School, Oriwu Senior Grammar School and New Era Girls Senior School were the top three schools in the secondary school category.

    In the primary school category Mini Resource Centre Primary School, Wesley Primary School, and Army Primary School, Alimosho came First, Second and Third.

     

  • Adebule praises Lagos teachers for awards

    Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, has praised the teachers who won three of the nine awards in the 2017 edition of the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award in Abuja, for making the state proud.

    Mrs. Lufadeju Dolapo Olufunke received the Best School Award on behalf of Ojodu Junior Grammar School, Ikeja; Mrs. Oluderu Bilikisu Oluwaseyi of Magbon Alade Senior Grammar School, Epe got the Best School Administrator Award (Senior Secondary School category), while Mrs. Adelegan Moronike Sarat of Civil Service Junior Model College, Igbogbo, was the First Runner up for Best Administrator.

    The awards were presented by the Education Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu, at the Eagles Square, Abuja.

    Mrs Adebule described the awards as reward for hard work.

    “To win three out of nine awards available nationwide speaks volume. It is a recognition of the hard work and diligence of Lagos State teachers and appreciation of the huge investment of the state government in the education sector,” she said.

    She urged the recipients to continue to work hard, while admonishing others to brace up because she belived that Lagos State teachers could win all the nine awards.

    One of the recipients, Mrs. Oluderu Bilikisu, praised the Lagos State government for recognising teachers. She, however, appealed for a more conducive environment for learning, saying that many schools still need to be touched by the revolution sweeping through the sector.

  • 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.

     

  • Children’s Day: Ambode vows to rescue kidnapped school pupils unhurt

    Children’s Day: Ambode vows to rescue kidnapped school pupils unhurt

    …Reaffirms Commitment To Protecting Children Against Abuse, Molestation

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Saturday reassured Lagosians that the State Government would do everything possible to ensure that six pupils of the Government Model College, Igbonla in Epe who were kidnapped in the early hours of Thursday are rescued unhurt and reunited with their parents.

    Governor Ambode, who gave the assurance at this year’s Children Day celebration held at the Agege Stadium, said the celebration would not be complete without rescuing those innocent pupils safely and bring them back to school to continue their education.

    He said top security arrangement was on course to guarantee their safety, pledging that his government would stop at nothing to ensure that kidnapping and other criminal activities are put to an end in schools.

    Represented by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Governor Ambode said that his administration was committed to protecting children in the state from any form of abuse, child labour or molestation by religiously implementing the Child Right Law and the Executive Order on Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, adding that “it was important to protect our children today, so that they can protect us tomorrow.”

    The Governor, who said that this year’s Children’s Day celebration was a unique one as the state is equally celebrating the 50thyear anniversary of its creation, called on the children to remain focused, believe in themselves and set target that would make them attain greatness in life, promising that his government will continue to create opportunities and implement policies that would help them to become the best of what they can without any barriers.

    “As we celebrate this year’s children’s Day and the 50th anniversary of our state, I want you to believe that you too can achieve greatness. You must believe in yourself and in your dreams. Very soon, it will be your responsibility to take Lagos state to the level that we all desired in the next 50 years. You are agents of change and I urge you, do not just go through life, make a difference, impact life and affect your community , What we are doing today is to lay a solid foundation for you to build on,” he said.

    The Governor while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to repositioning public schools to meet world class standard, said that his administration in the last two years had invested heavily in infrastructural and manpower development in public schools, the effort which according to him, is yielding positive results as it has restored confidence in public schools.

    “As a government, we recognize our responsibility to create opportunities for you to become the best you can be without any barrier, this is why in the last two years, we have invested massively in the infrastructural and manpower development in our public schools. Our plan which is being realized is to restore public confidence in our public schools,’’ he said.

    Earlier in his welcome address, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Adeshina Odeyemi, noted that the education sector has undergone tremendous transformations since the creation of the state, adding that the number of secondary schools had increased from 55 at the creation of the state in 1967 with a total students population of 19,538 to 679 public secondary schools at present with over 564,758 students population.

    Odeyemi noted that in spite of the current global melt down and general economic recession in the country, Lagos State government has continued to run free education policy from primary to secondary schools level and pay for the WAEC fees of its graduating students till date

    The Permanent Secretary who noted that the allocation of a huge sum of N205.8 billion to the education sector in the year 2016 and 2017 budget was a confirmation of government‘s genuine commitment to the development of education in the state.

    The highlight of the occasion was the cutting of the Children’s day cake by the Deputy Governor with other members of the State Executive Council.

  • Abduction: Lagos deputy governor visits victims’ college

    Abduction: Lagos deputy governor visits victims’ college