Proprietor of Mictec International Schools, Dr Michael Tejuoso, has appealed to the Lagos State government to support private schools to enhance sports development.
Tejuoso, who spoke at the 2nd combined inter-house sports competition of the Mictec Schools located in Ogudu and Oko-Oba, said the support could come in form of ease of getting land for schools and reduction of dues/taxes.
The proprietor said the school does not hold the sporting event yearly because of lack of space, which is hard to come by in Lagos as land is expensive.
“In Nigeria, particularly Lagos, we have not got the support from government. You hardly see private schools that have sufficient space for sports. We find it difficult to make this inter-house sports regularly because of lack of space. They should follow the concept that education is a social service. But annual dues for private schools go higher every year. It is not so abroad where government gives support to schools to build a total child. We are paying exorbitantly to use this government stadium. There should be kind of duty-free facility for anything that has to do with education,” he said.
Tejuoso said the combination of the inter-house sports of the two branches of the school has fostered unity, cooperation and friendship among teachers, parents and pupils.
On his part, chairman of the occasion, My Ige Adetayo, urged the government to send representatives to inter-house sports competitions to sport talents who can serve the country in future.
Adetayo who was very impressed by the performances of the pupils, both in sports and various choreographic presentations, underscored the need for a talent management programme for them.
“These are the places they need to come to catch them young. I like their assimilation. I am amazed at what they have done. If they can do this, it shows that their future is very bright,” he said.
At the end of the competition, Onyx House came first; Emerald, second; Jasper, third; and Beryl, fourth.
Obi House wins N50,000 at Queen’s College
For winning the 54th inter-house athletics competition of Queen’s College, Yaba Obi (Yellow) House got a special gift of N50,000 from the chairman of the occasion, Mr. Shuaibu Muhammed Lawal.
The gift announced by Lawal, Managing Director of ALZAB Oil and Gas Ltd, was greeted with excitement at the end of the competition.
Obi which had 14 gold, eight silver and 12 bronze medals, was followed by Obong (Orange) with eight gold, 11 silver and seven bronze medals in second place. Efunjoke (purple) came third with six gold, seven silver and six bronze.
Emotan (Green) was fourth; Obasa (Blue) fifth, and Danfodio (Red) sixth.
The highlights of the competition held at Queen’s College Sport’s Ground, were the entertaining March Past and the calisthenics display, which is traditionally reserved for SS2 pupils of the college.
In her speech, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan appreciated the contributions of teachers, parents and corporate bodies in helping the girls become better.
Principal of the school, Dr Lami Amodu, said the competition was an integral part of the school’s curriculum.
She urged parents should encourage their wards to participate in sporting activities to get all-round education.
“I therefore urge parents and guardians to always encourage and support their daughters and wards to develop interest and participate in sporting activities as this will help in their all-round education. We all can attest to the career opportunities which abound in the field of sports. Many Nigerians today both at home and abroad earn fantastic wages for sporting activities,” Mrs Amodu said.
In the invited schools relay, boys’ category, Federal Science and Technology College (FSTC), Yaba, claimed trophy, while King’s College and International School, University of Lagos (ISL) came second and third. In the female category, Homat College, Ikorodu came first; Loral Secondary School, Agbara, Ogun State was second, while FSTC Yaba finished third.
Panes House retains trophy at King’s College
Panes House (Blue) has won the King’s College annual inter-house sport competition for the second year running.
The event, the 96th in the series, held at the school’s main campus behind the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island.
Panes got 24 gold, 17 silver and eight bronze medals; Harman’s (Green) came second with 14 gold, 13 silver and 13 bronze; Hyde Johnson (Red) placed third with eight gold, 12 silver and 14 bronze medals, while Mickee Wright (yellow) was fourth with six gold, 10 silver and six bronze medals.
The Principal, Oluseyi Thomas, urged the boys to learn lessons of life from participating in the competition.
“To the competitors of today, even though young boys, the practical essence of this event is for you to learn early that life is tough and competitive. In life, as well as sport, you need determination when times are tough. In fact, to succeed at all, you have to be determined enough to win the races of life. Life race needs to be completed whether you are out of breath or not,” he said.
The invited schools’ relay race was won by Federal Science and Technology College (FSTC), Yaba Lagos, while Queen’s College and Ansar-ud-deen College, Itire, were the first and second runners up.
Jasper House wins at Elias School
Budding athletes put up an impressive performance at the biennial inter-house sport competition of Elias International School, Abule Egba, held at the mini sports complex of Command Secondary Schools, Ipaja, Lagos.
At the end of the day, Jasper (Red) House won the competition, which featured both primary and secondary pupils of the school participating in various sports including athletics, march past long and high jump, among others.
Speaking at the event, proprietress of the school, Mrs Oluwagunna Dosunmu, said the competition was organised to help the pupils discover their talents in sports, while pursuing their educational career.
“I am delighted that Elias International Schools has successfully organized the school inter- house sports for eight years now. The competition is part of the school’s commitment to discover young talents and groom them to continue giving their best in their chosen sports,’’ she said.
Father of the day Mr. Jide Ologun said Sport is an acronym that stands for Sound mind, Preparation, Opportunity, Responsibility and Transformation and he commended the pupils for their outstanding display.
Chrysolite (Yellow) House came second, while Blue (Sapphire) House was third.
He advised parents to stop discouraging their wards from taking part in sports, describing it as a tool to promote discipline and hard work while studying.
In the Invited Schools Relay, CSS Ipaja came first, Lagos African Church Grammar School, second and Everton International School, came third.
