The effervescent and performing Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary (TGPS), Education District II, Lagos State, Mrs. Nike Adekanye has urged students in secondary schools in the education district to stay focused on their education and shun bad gang in order to be successful in life.
She gave the advice while speaking at the Oriwu College, Ikorodu, during an event held to mark this year’s edition of the International Literacy Day.
The event, which was organised by the Education District II in conjunction with The Smart and Brilliant Brain, had the present of staff and students of the premier college in attendance, led by the principals of both the senior and junior sections of the school, Mr. Akeem O. Bello and Mrs. Kafilat Awojide respectively.
Also, there was a presentation tagged, ‘The LEAD Programme 2022’, by the guest speaker, Mr. M D. Omisore.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Adekanye, in her inspirational address at the programme, explained that children are being sent to school by their parents to acquire knowledge, to be able to know their rights and also be good ambassadors of their family and the society.
She urged the students to maintain high level focus and commitment in their studies to achieve excellence in their education.
Citing her own exemplary story of grass to grace, Mrs. Adekanye said that despite her humble beginning and poor background, she defied all odds to become what she is today by getting the right education.
“I am from a poor home like many like you, l live in face me and slap you apartment, l was brought up in an environment where majority of the youths were not even interested in education, let alone knowing what education is. When l went to university, l did well and came out with 2.1.
“To God be the glory, today, I am a Permanent Secretary in a big State. With the power of God, my parents, my family and community are all proud of me because I am successful. I am telling you all these so that you would not allow whatever condition that you have to hinder you from being educated.
“Whatever you want to do or become in future, you should start now. Show real determination to your education and ensure you perform well in your studies in secondary school and university”.
She advised the young scholars not to allow any situation or pain they are facing presently to force them into joining bad gang or abandon their education.
“Now, you be going through pains or challenges, and you may not have someone to talk to, you may not have somebody to pity you, but you have gotten education, hold on to it with all seriousness and don’t let any problem force you into bad company because this may ruin your life.
“If you want to become an engineer, if you want to become a doctor, whatever you want to achieve in life, just face your education and come out in flying colours, l am assuring you that you would certainly achieve your dream.”
Mrs. Adekanye, in her usual appreciative manner, praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for approving the programme for Education District and Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, Commissioner for Education, Lagos State, for her passion and special interest in the educational development of the State.
She also praised Master Abdul Rahman, the senior secondary school student of Oriwu College who emerged the ‘One Day Governor’ of Lagos State, after emerging champion of the Spelling Bee Competition.
While assuring Abdul that the District is proud of his academic achievement, she urged him to remain committed to his studies in order to attain further feats.
Furthermore, the Tutor-General commended the guest speaker, M.D. Omisore for embarking on several researches to enhance students’ performances in education, particularly the LEAD Programme which was the main discourse at the event.
She assured that the Education District II and the State government remained committed to the LEAD Programme and every other programmes that would further develop the students and education in the State.
More so, the guest Speaker, M D. Omisore, in his lecture on the LEAD Programme, said that LEAD is an acronyms for Learning, Expression, Articulation and Proficiency.
He explained that the programme is aimed at making the students to learn to express, articulate and be proficient, as well as enhance their reading and writing abilities which he described as the foundational literacy requirements.
Speaking about the LEAD programme for the secondary schools in Education District II, Mr. Omisore said that the students that participated performed excellently well in all the tasks involved which included: building assimilation, service development, types of writing and subject focus among others.
He, however, urged the students to read story books on literature and other interesting story books to further improve their learning.
Also, he thanked Mrs. Adefisayo and Mrs. Adekanye for believing in him regarding the LEAD programme, and added that the duo have really made a great investment on the 120 students registered for the programme, with the assurance that the participants would benefit immensely from what they learnt during the four-week programme, in future.