I’M IRREVOCABLY COMMITTED TO EDUCATION SECTOR, SAYS SANWO-OLU

…As UNILAG Alumni Confers Special Recognition Award On Lagos Gov

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reiterated the commitment of his administration to massively invest in quality education to guarantee a brighter future for the young ones, assuring that the State Government would spare no effort to improve the learning and teaching environment in schools across the State.

Speaking on Saturday at the 2nd High Table and Fund Raising Dinner of the Alumni of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos where he was conferred with a special recognition award for his contribution to the growth and development of education, Sanwo-Olu said he remained irrevocably committed to make the right investment to scale up provision of quality education, especially in public schools.

The Governor, who was represented by his wife and an alumnus of the institution, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said: “As you might have known, the Education sector was allocated the highest percentage in our current’s year’s budget. This prioritization is in tandem with the T.H.E.M.E’s agenda in which education represent a key pillar. It is also in realization of the key role education plays in the 21st Century.

“Our administration is irrevocably committed to give utmost attention to the education sector particularly the Public School System where much is needed to be done to improve the learning and teaching environment.”

In furtherance of this, the Governor said the State Government had recently completed the process of massive rehabilitation and renovation of 300 public schools which is the first phase under the public schools’ transformation programme.

In addition, he said a training programme for primary schools’ teachers under Eko Excel Initiative was just completed, while the pilot exercise of the school feeding programme tagged “Snack for Thoughts” for pupils in primary 4 – 6 within Lagos Island Local Government was completed a few days ago.

“When fully operational, this programme will improve the nutritional intake of the pupils. This would result in improve mental capacity and school attendance. All of these and many more initiative being implemented will result in significant transformation of the education sector and better future for our State and the country as a whole,” the Governor said.

Besides, Sanwo-Olu commended the MEDILAG Alumni for finding him worthy of the award, saying that it would further spur him to invest more in quality education of the youth and guarantee a brighter future for them.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Planning Committee of the MEDILAG Alumni High Table and Fund Raising Dinner Committee, Professor Oladapo Ashiru said Governor Sanwo-Olu was being honored for the dynamism he has brought to education sector in the State since assuming office.

Reps Honour Disabled Ex Homeless Street Beggar turned Lawyer, Medical Student Record Breaker

The House of Representatives on Tuesday honoured Mr Abdulsalam Kamaldeen Idowu, a disabled and former homeless street beggar for sponsoring himself through school to become a lawyer and political science graduate and Miss Aarinola Olaiya of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife for attaining exceptional record in her academic pursuit.

The decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the House Leader, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos-APC).

The House resolved to establish, by law, a Parliamentary Honours/Award System for recognition of extraordinary achievements by Nigerians.

Gbajabiamila while introducing the Honourees said that the motion was intended to reward excellence and encourage citizens who had elevated the ideals of the Nigerian society.

"When ordinary Nigerians do Extra ordinary things then they must be celebrated and all men and women of power and influence must rise and bow to them", he said .

"Nigerians and the world celebrate Messi and Ronaldo everyday for the amazing things they are able to do with their legs and today we must celebrate Abdulsalam for the amazing things he has been able to do without his legs", the House Leader added.

According to him, Abdulsalam Idowu displayed resilience and hard work by studying political science and law from street begging and despite being homeless for years sleeping at Idumota Motor Park in Lagos.

“Idowu lost his two legs to polio at the age of three, lost his mother at the age of four, started primary school at eight and resorted to street begging to raise money to buy uniforms, books and to feed.
“He begged for arms from primary through secondary school and was known on the streets of Lagos as a beggar.

“From street begging he bought GCE form in 2002, sat and passed the GCE and Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam and was subsequently admitted to study political science at the University of Lagos.

“As he was preparing to complete his first degree, he sat for the West African School Certificate Examination and JAMB.

“In his determination to become a lawyer, passed the exams studied law and was later admitted to Nigerian Law School in 2015 and was called to the Nigerian Bar on Nov. 30 2016,’’ Gbajabiamila said.

Gbajabiamila also said, “Aarinola, 24, who was admitted into OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun to study Medicine and Surgery in 2011, scored an excellent Cumulative Grade Point (CGPA) of 4.74 in her first year.

“Subsequently in her second through to the sixth year scored Distinctions and in Anatomy, Medical Biochemistry and Physiology (200L), Distinctions in Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology (300L); Distinctions in Pathology and Pharmacology (400L).

 She capped it with "Distinctions in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mental Health and Dermatology (500L) and Distinctions in Surgery (600L), an achievement that had been elusive for a period of 28 years in the university.", the House Leader added.

Gbajabiamila informed his colleagues that Master Ayodele Dada of Adisa Bashua Street, Surulere 1, federal constituency, Lagos who was similarly introduced to the House and the world in same manner on the 26th of March, 2016, for breaking the 5.0 Cumulative Grade Point at graduation in the University of Lagos just concluded his service at the Central Bank of Nigeria and preparing to further his studies abroad after receiving several job offers and do believe that Aarinola and Abdulsalam will soar higher as well.

Other members who spoke glowingly of the achievements of the duo of Aarinola and AbdulSalam are: the Deputy Speaker, Lasun Yusuff (APC, Osun); Rep. Edward Pwajok (SAN); Rep. Sunday Adepoju (APC, Oyo); Rep. Johnson Oghuma (APC, Edo); Rep. Saheed Akinade Fijabi (APC, Oyo); Rep. Sodaguwo Festus-Omoni (PDP, Bayelsa); Rep. Dapo Lam-Adesina (APC, Oyo).

The Lawmakers gave the honourees a standing ovation while the Speaker of the House of Representatives shook hands of Aarinola and Abdulsalam and charged them to keep hope burning having succeeded in shattering the glass ceiling.  A larger number of lawmakers and staff of the National Assembly were seen taking pictures with the honourees.

Gov. Ambode congratulates new UNILAG VC, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe

Agege Pulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday congratulated Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe on his appointment as the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The University’s Governing Council at the end of its meeting of Friday, October 272017, approved the appointment of Professor Ogundipe as the 12th Vice Chancellor of the UNILAG.

The Governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said Ogundipe’s appointment was thoroughly deserved, adding that he had over the years proved his competence in the academia.

He said it was based on his professionalism and integrity that his administration deemed it fit to appoint Professor Ogundipe as the Chairman of the Lagos State Research and Innovation Council earlier in June 2017.

“Professor Ogundipe does not need any introduction in the academic world. He has distinguished himself in the service of the prestigious University of Lagos over the years and his leadership skills are not in doubt.

“Being a product of the university itself, I am proud to say that his appointment is thoroughly deserved. His proven track record in the academia is there for all to see and steadily he has risen through the ranks to the pinnacle of his career,” Governor Ambode said.

The Governor, while acknowledging the strides of the outgoing, UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Rahmon Bello, expressed confidence that Professor Ogundipe would bring his wealth of experience to bear to build upon the enviable legacies of the University in the next five years.

“With Professor Ogundipe at the helm of affair of our great citadel of learning, I am totally confident that UNILAG is destined for greater heights. I want to on behalf of the people of Lagos State congratulate him and wish him the very best throughout his tenure,” he said.