Resumption Date: LASG to sanction erring schools

Deputy Governor of Lagos State and the Superintendent of the Education Sector, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule has reiterated the need for all schools in the State, both private and public, to comply with the School Calendar jointly agreed upon and resume on the 10th of September, 2018.

Speaking at the Education Sectoral meeting on Thursday, Adebule frowned at a situation in which some private schools open a week before or after the agreed date and warned that any school found in breach of the rules will be sanctioned appropriately.

While looking forward to welcoming students, pupils, teaching and non-teaching staff back to school for the Y2018/19 academic session, she said the adoption of a uniform calendar makes for proper planning and ensuring that pupils and students attend school for the number of days required in the term.

The Deputy Governor commended teachers for working tirelessly to prepare the children for leadership, adding that the State Government will rededicate herself to their training, welfare and reward for excellence.

She advised children in the State, whether in public or private schools to devote more time to their studies; shun all vices including internet fraud, hooliganism, rape, examination malpractice, alcoholism and drug abuse.

Adebule also promised that the government of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode will continue to do everything possible to improve service delivery in the public schools and ensure that private schools also deliver quality services to pupils and students

Lagos begins safety audit in schools - AgegePulse

...safety of school children is of great importance - Hon. Hakeem Dickson

The Lagos State Government, through the State Safety Commission, has commenced safety compliance audit/inspection of all public and private schools in line with the policy of the Ambode-led administration to entrench the culture of safety standard across the State.

Speaking at the flag off ceremony, the Director-General, of the Commission, Hon. Hakeem Dickson disclosed that the State Government will ensure that the environment where children spend a greater part of their day is free of hazards.

He reiterated that the safety of school children is of great importance to the state government most especially in the light of the activities of kidnappers in some quarters across Lagos hinterlands.

In his words, "The essence of the audit is to ascertain that safety measures are installed in these schools to safeguard the students and the teachers as well. This is because the present administration is concerned about the overall safety of school children in the state".

Some of the schools visited are Ipakodo Junior and Senior Grammar School, Majidun Junior and Senior, Goshen College, Government Junior and Senior College, Ikorodu, Yintab College, Ayangburen Junior and Senior College, Oriwu Senior College, United Junior High School, Oriwu Junior College, Oriwu Senior College, Maps College amongst others.

The safety audit team is expected to visit private and public schools across the state, without prior notice, to identify hazards in the schools and report to the appropriate quarters for prompt action.

Cancer and HIV/AIDs awareness: LASG seeks private sector partnership

The Lagos State Government has identified the need to explore the private sector involvement in its drive to increase public awareness on Cancer and HIV/AIDs as part of efforts to stem the spread of the deadly diseases.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Pharm. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, said that there is a need for the Private Sector and Non-Governmental Organizations to continually support and partner with government in the area of research and public education of these common diseases in the society.

Speaking at an awareness outreach on Breast, Cervical Cancer Screening and HIV Testing and Counseling for Youth in Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area of the State, Akinbile-Yussuf added that the obligation of raising awareness about the potential killer diseases should be collectively pursued and not to be left to government alone.

She lamented that presently, there are no sufficient awareness and knowledge on the causes of breast cancer among young people, stressing that the level of awareness about the signs to look out for when undergoing breast cancer examination should be improved upon.

She said although the state government is aware of the heavy burden the diseases places on victims, the increment in awareness at all public and professional places will go a long way in reducing the spread with the assistance of other health intervention programmes in the state.

She added that research from the private sector will assist the government make adequate provision particularly on breast and cervical cancer awareness campaigns and also make some informed decisions.

The Commissioner urged youths and residents of the area to utilize the free screening, testing and counseling made available for them by the State government

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola appealed to Lagosians to show affection to friends and relatives who are affected by any of the diseases, saying the diseases could be life-threatening at some stages.

He said the screening is in continuation of the global wakeup call for everyone to embrace seeking medical assistance when necessary.

Muri-Okunola advised the people to avail themselves with good health through eating a balanced diet; regular exercise and early detection to reduce chances of being infected with cancer, urging them to also raise awareness in their environments.

The Speaker, Lagos State Youth Parliament, Hon. Seriki Muritala who spoke on HIV prevention and care enjoined patients of the disease not to lose hope but should seek counseling from certified counselors in all government-owned hospitals in the state.

Gov. Ambode Charges Corporate Bodies on CSR - AgegePulse

...Launches Community Needs Assessment Report

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has charged corporate bodies in the state to urgently support the effort of the government by engaging in Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, to develop grassroots communities in the state.

Speaking at the Inaugural CSR Lagos Business Luncheon on Matching 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility Budgets to the Needs of Lagos State Communities, held in Victoria Island, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Tuesday, Ambode said the population of Lagos had been increasing on daily basis, hence the need for the private sector to support the efforts of the government through CSR.

The challenge has increased over the years because of recession in the economy which has stretched the resources of the government to cater for the weak and the old, he said, adding that the people at the grassroots had risen to the challenges of their environment by engaging in self-help projects.

Ambode, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Tunji Bello said the state had now reached a time when non-state actors must play more role in supporting the self-help projects and programmes of the communities.

The 24 million people who inhabit Lagos State today, including the corporate players must see Lagos as one big family where the rich help the poor and where each is his brother’s keeper, he said.

The governor said he looked forward to serious partnership between the private sector and the government in the next 24 months in the areas of needs assessment of the communities which cut across drainage rehabilitations, roads, electricity, pipe borne water, among others.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Communities and Communications, Kehinde Bamigbetan said right from the onset, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had made it clear that he would embark on inclusive governance that would give power to the people at the grassroots for even development of communities.

He said this mission had manifested in the empowerment of the communities as community leaders were being carried along on projects awarded by the government in the various communities, adding that during the construction of the 114 roads, community leaders were allowed to play active part in the process.

Bamigbetan stated that apart of government’s efforts to reposition the grassroots, it had come to a point where CSR was greatly needed as government could not do all alone and needed the partnership of the private sector through CSR.

The special adviser emphasized that CSR would enable communities tackle their problems which had been spelt out in the needs assessment, saying that corporate bodies could include CSR in their budgets for 2018.

Launching the Community Needs Assessment Report 2017, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs,  Fola Padonu disclosed that 16 items were identified in the needs assessment, which he said. Included drainages, electricity, roads, community halls, public toilets, motor parks, among others.

He said the private sector could partner with government in five selected needs such as drainages, roads, electricity, pipe borne water and grading of roads, adding that the private sector must assist the government to revamp the five areas as government could not provide them alone as they were capital intensive.

Speaking, Deputy Consulate General, Peoples Republic of China, Guan Zhongpi, said the Chinese government had been partnering with Lagos in the area of CSR and that more attention would be given to the needs of the communities next year.

He said the Consulate had previously implemented more than 10 CSR projects in Lagos, such as donating equipment to schools, sinking of boreholes at the Lagos University, among others.

Present at the event were representatives from Dangote Groups, Chevron, Heritage Bank and several others which promised to partner with government in the area of CSR next year.
      
Debo Adeniji