The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Idiat Oluranti Adebule, on Wednesday, September 20, 2017, received a merit award from the Education District III in Lagos state. This was in appreciation of her good leadership qualities and laudable contributions to the education sector.
Other award recipients during the event included, Principals, Vice-Principals, Teachers, District staff and non-teaching staff from Epe, Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki and Lagos Island zones, which make-up the district.
While speaking during the event, the Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary of the district, Barrister (Mrs.) Titilayo Margeret Solarin, said the Deputy Governor, referred to as the General Overseer of the sector, had brought tremendous improvements to the education sector. She also commended the State Government for providing conducive environments for education to thrive in the state.
Solarin said, “More classrooms are being built while massive renovations are daily being carried out in all boarding and day schools. In addition, three additional model colleges are nearing completion in the three senatorial districts.” The Tutor-General also said that the government is recruiting more teachers for people living with disability, who are being sent to their schools. While thanking Ambode for his good developmental initiations, she equally appreciated the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Education for guidance.
The Permanent Secretary/Tutor-General, Education District II, Mr. Olaniyi Yinka Gbemi, received the award on behalf of the Deputy Governor as her representative. While delivering the Deputy Governor’s address earlier on, Mr. Yinka Gbemi told the school administrators, Teachers and others present at the event that the Deputy Governor was very proud of them for all the successes they had recorded so far. Adebule said that the sector has moved forward in terms of students’ learning attainment, noting that the state percentage in WAEC has increased from sixty percent (60%) to about sixty-seven percent (67%).
According to her, teachers, non-teaching staff and students’ efforts toward this improvement must be commended. She, therefore, assured them of more State Government contributions that would make teaching and learning environments more conducive. She urged them to be more committed to their services since there reward for hardwork is more work.
Other awardees of the day included, the Best Senior School Principal of the district, who was the Principal, Isale Eko Senior High School, Mrs. Regina Ogunde; Best Junior School Principal was the Principal of Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe, Mr. Oyesola Johnson Bolaji; Best Senior School Vice Principal went to Mr. Egareuba David Folorunsho from Lafiaji Senior High School; Best Junior School Vice Principal was Mrs. Ishola Sherifat Adewunmi from Eko-Akete Junior Secondary School.
Best Senior School Teacher went to Mrs. Azeez Kemi Hammed from Government Senior College, Ketu, Epe. The junior category went to Mr. Odunsi Bamidele Olivet of Epe Junior Grammar School. There were other awards too. They included, the Best Senior School in the district, which was clinched by Government Senior College, Ketu, Epe: Best Senior Student went to Bakare Faruq of Government Senior College, Ketu, Epe, who got four A’s and B’s in the rest of his registered science subjects in WAEC examination.
There were awards like, Best District Staff, Best Non-Teaching Staff and awards for religious organisations such as RCCG City of David, Church of Restoration, Anglican Communion VI, and Good Shepherd Pastor Parish, RCC I, Alagomeji; Best Cleaner, Best Driver, Best Year Tutors, and Best HOD, among others.
In each category, three nominees emerged and they all got certificates and prizes as either first, second or third, but the winner got the merit award plaque.
During her welcome address, Barrister Solarin unfolded the theme of the award as “New Beginning,” due to the recognition given to every stakeholder in the education sector including organisations that supplied computer, and other educational materials within the district. The Tutor-General, however, stated that the award ceremony was organized to make the winners the cynosure of all eyes with prizes that make others green with envy. She advised teachers to be more committed to their jobs while the students were urged to be focused and to aim higher for a desirable future.
Stating the criteria for the award, she said, “We went round the schools to observe them as they taught and we checked their records. We also checked the achievements of Principals of schools and we arrived at this.”
Dignitaries present during the event were, Sasi of Lagos, High Chief Lamina Sasi, with his amiable Olori; Hon. Segun Olulade, member, Lagos State House of Assembly; Hon. Wale Raji; Mrs. Dolapo Oladunjoye; former Commissioner for Education, Lagos State, Barrister (Mrs.) Olayinka Oladunjoye; Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Dr. Ganiyu Sopeyin; former Tutor-Generals and Permanent Secretaries.
Other dignitaries at the ceremony include, Barrister Solarin Adeleke, Vice-Chairman, Sagamu South LCDA and husband of District III Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary, Barrister (Mrs.) Titilayo Solarin; Tutor-General, Education District I, Mrs. Abiose Ayandele, Tutor-General, Education District VI, Mrs. Onadipe Olufunmilayo; Executive Chairman, Lagos Island LGA, Hon. Tijani Adetoyese Olusin; Director of Administration, District III, Dr. Mudashiru Raji, who also received an award.
Director of Administration and Human Resources, District III, Mr. Karma Sanusi was also there, and so were, Director, Co-curriculum Science and Technology, Mrs. Odunsi Titus, along with others, who were given awards for their good service delivery. Otunba Dengel Anifowoshe, APC Chieftain was also there, among other dignitaries.