REVIEW OF BOARDING FEE IN LAGOS MODEL COLLEGES, INEVITABLE - MINISTRY

AgegePulse Magazine 

The Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in a statement released today, has stated that, it is aware a few parents have shown some concern about the inevitable increase in boarding fees in the State model colleges. Which, obviously has not been an easy decision to make. 

The Ministry in the release, reassures all parents, that the welfare of their Children remains a top priority. Noting that the Lagos State Government continues to provide free education in 1,021 Primary schools, 369 Junior Secondary and 329 Senior Secondary schools which include the 32 model colleges across the State, which are Boarding Schools, except, Vetland Junior and Senior Secondary Schools. 

The Statement also explained that enrolment of a child into a Boarding School is an individual choice of every parent, and as such, they are expected to pay boarding fees at the beginning of every school term.

 It noted that the boarding fees is used basically for feeding, janitorial and other cost-related miscellaneous to keep the Students in the hostels per term. The Schools from this fees, also take care of energy costs of fuel and cooking gas, which are essential for preparing meals for boarding Students. 

According to the statement,  "the concern of ensuring better welfare for our model college students, who are about one per cent of the entire basic and secondary school student population in public schools in the State, necessitated the increase in boarding fees. 

The model college students enjoy all other privileges of free education vis a vis provision of education infrastructure, free tuition, technology support (free devices) provision of adequate security in schools and payment of terminal examination fees (LASG pays WAEC fees for all public school students). 

The #35,000 boarding fees being paid since 2021 are not realistic in 2024. Ideally, none of our parents will testify to the reasonability of feeding a child of 12 to 18 years with 35,000 for three months. Noting that a comparative analysis of Federal and State public schools with boarding facilities across the country shows that the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is still very considerate of the reviewed rate despite the incomparable cost of food and other expenses.

Nutritious food is not just for physical growth but also mental alertness. The Ministry certainly don’t want our students in boarding schools to look gaunt and lack the skill of critical thinking.

The government takes responsibility for the health and well-being of the students while in school. To do this will require the full cooperation of all stakeholders. Our parents should show understanding for the sake of the children".

Sports Ministry places late Rashidi Yekini's mother on monthly stipend

AgegePulse magazine

The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, has placed the mother of late Super Eagles striker, Rashidi Yekini, Alhaja Sikiratu, on  a monthly stipend.

The Representative of the Minister at the donation ceremony, Olaitan Shittu, disclosed this in Ijagbo, near Offa in Kwara on Wednesday, when he donated Ramadan gifts on behalf of the Minister to the aged mother.

The Sports Minister, Mr Sunday Dare, also donated the sum of N50,000 as part of the Ramadan gifts to the aged matriarch on Wednesday.

Shittu explained that it was not the first time the Minister was reaching out to Alhaja Sikiratu Yekini as he was also at Mama Yekini's residence in September, 2019.

Responding, Alhaja Yekini who spoke in her local dialect (Yoruba), thanked the Minister and prayed fervently for him.

"I have been abandoned for a long time and have not seen any help from anyone.

"I was hospitalised for few days, some months ago and I did cater for myself despite scarce resources, even last month, I received treatment from the hospital.

"I need help from Nigerians, but this Minister has done very well, especially remembering me in this holy month of Ramadan.

"Since my son died, it has been very tough for me because I do not have any help from people. Rashidi's siblings are not doing well too, so, I was left to struggle for life everyday," Alhaja Sikiratu Yekini said.

Late Rashidi Yekini who died eight years ago in Ibadan after retiring from football, had his professional career span more than two decades and was mainly associated with Vitória de Setúbal in Portugal, but he also played in six other countries besides Nigeria.

Yekini scored 37 goals as a Nigerian international from 58 games and represented the nation in five major tournaments, including two World Cups where he scored the country's first-ever goal in the competition against Bulgaria in the USA 94 World Cup.

He was also named the African Footballer of the Year in 1993.

Items donated include, 50kg bag of rice, 10kg bag of wheat, six tins of Milo as well as the sum of N50,000.

Signed
Media Office to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development

LASG intensifies efforts to ensure food safety for Lagosians

The Lagos State Government has established four main sub-committees for the implementation of activities on food safety in line with National guidelines and International best practices.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary Health Care, Dr. Olufemi Onanuga disclosed this in a keynote address at the maiden meeting of the State Food Safety and Hygiene Management Committee held recently.

Onanuga who listed the sub-committees to include Advocacy and Social Mobilization, Training and Capacity Building, Partnership and Resource Mobilization and Monitoring and Evaluation said that the committees are expected to develop operational activities in line with the National Policy on Food Safety and its Implementation Strategy as well as International best practices.

“I hope that the reports of activities of this committee will help to develop a very strong basis for an enviable implementation strategy that will be all-encompassing and achieve the result of ensuring safe food for all Lagosians,” he remarked.

The Special Adviser stated that the National Policy on Food Safety and its Implementation Strategy is a document that has been clearly developed along with its implementation framework by the Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

He said the Ministry of Health has embarked on various activities to strengthen its food safety programmes through active routine inspection of food handling/processing establishments and implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).

“HACCP is a systematic preventive approach to food safety from biological, chemical, and physical hazards in production processes. It designs measurements to reduce these risks to a safe level by putting in place stringent actions and strictly monitoring and controlling each process,” he remarked.

The Special Adviser observed that there has been a tremendous growth in inspection coverage of the food handling industry in the State as a total of 1,651 inspections were carried out in 2016 representing 63% coverage against 55% coverage recorded in 2015.

While giving his assurances that the level of coverage in 2017 has increased, he noted that food establishments in Lagos State have already embraced the implementation of HACCP and all its pre-requisite programmes with a view to assuring safe food for all Lagosians at all levels.

Patronize Govt healthcare facilities, Mrs. Ambode charges expectant mothers

AgegePulse Magazine

 Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, has renewed her call on expectant mothers to patronize primary health centres and skilled birth attendants in the State, to reduce the incidence of maternal and infant mortality.

She gave the advice today at a town hall meeting on the reduction of maternal and child mortality organized by Lagos State Ministry of Health at Epe Local Government.

Mrs. Ambode blamed prevailing maternal mortality rate on the failure of expectant mothers to access obstetric services provided by the government.

 “Almost every minute, somewhere in a corner of the world, a woman dies as a result of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. For every woman that dies, about 20 others survive but suffer from serious diseases, disability or physical damage, caused by complications. Majority of these maternal deaths are avoidable if expectant mothers access quality reproductive health care, including skilled attendance at birth,” she said.

“Non-use of essential obstetric services is a crucial factor that contributes to high maternal mortality. Some women refuse to access care when highly necessary either because of cultural practices or because decision-making is the responsibility of other family members”, she added.

Mrs. Ambode stressed that while the role of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) is acknowledged, it is important they know their limitations and ensure prompt referrals to Primary Health Care Centres.

She appealed to women of child-bearing age and pregnant women to avail themselves of the free services during the Child Health Week, taking place throughout this week, by visiting the nearest Primary Health facility closest to them.

The Governor’s wife, who urged women to pay attention to their nutrition during pregnancy, enlisted the support of families, religious and community groups to win the battle against the menace of infant and maternal mortality.

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, noted that it was important for TBAs to register with the State Government, adding that reports indicated that expectant mothers still patronize those TBAs that are not trained to handle unforeseen complications during pregnancy or childbirth.

The Commissioner said that the State Government had done so much in the area of primary health-care, as the Governor was very passionate about the health of the citizenry.

He enjoined everyone to come together at the end of the town hall meeting and resolve to do the right thing and save the lives of mothers during pregnancy and babies after childbirth, stressing that everyone has a role to play in this regard.

Delivering their goodwill messages, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing Epe Federal Constituency, Hon. Tasir Raji and Chairman, House Committee on Health in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Segun Olulade, both noted that there was a strong link between the health and survival of a mother and that of her new-born.

Raji said it was imperative for the State Government to explore the possibility of registering the TBAs with a view to integrating them into the healthcare delivery system, as this according to him, would help build capacity to ease the burden in the health sector.

Olulade stressed that concerted efforts must be made to ensure that no woman in Lagos State loses her life during pregnancy or childbirth.

In attendance were top government functionaries, traditional rulers, the health family, Traditional Birth Attendants, and other stakeholders.

Ambode appoints Folashade Adesoye as new Head of Service

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday approved the appointment of Mrs. Folasade Sidikatu Adesoye as the 20th Head of Service (HOS) in the State.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna, said Mrs. Adesoye’s appointment, will take effect on November 11, 2017, following the statutory retirement of the outgoing HOS, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola on November 10, 2017.

The new HOS was first appointed into the Lagos State Civil Service on December 28, 1983 as an Accountant and has served in several ministries.

She was elevated into the Body of Permanent Secretaries in 2010 and was deployed to the Civil Service Pensions Office where she served till August 2015 when she was deployed to the Office of Local Government Establishment, Training and Pensions Office. In 2016, she was asked to serve in the same capacity as Permanent Secretary, Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Until her appointment, she was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Governor Ambode thanked the outgoing HOS, Mrs. Ademola for her meritorious service to the State and wished her well in her future endeavours.Ambode appoints Folashade Adesoye as new Head of Service

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday approved the appointment of Mrs. Folasade Sidikatu Adesoye as the 20th Head of Service (HOS) in the State.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna, said Mrs. Adesoye’s appointment, will take effect on November 11, 2017, following the statutory retirement of the outgoing HOS, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola on November 10, 2017.

The new HOS was first appointed into the Lagos State Civil Service on December 28, 1983 as an Accountant and has served in several ministries.

She was elevated into the Body of Permanent Secretaries in 2010 and was deployed to the Civil Service Pensions Office where she served till August 2015 when she was deployed to the Office of Local Government Establishment, Training and Pensions Office. In 2016, she was asked to serve in the same capacity as Permanent Secretary, Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Until her appointment, she was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

Governor Ambode thanked the outgoing HOS, Mrs. Ademola for her meritorious service to the State and wished her well in her future endeavours.