As children in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State joined their counterparts in Nigeria to mark 2019 Children’s Day, the Chairman, Apostle Oloruntoba Oke, has called on governments and parents to intensify efforts toward promoting the rights and welfare of the Nigerian child to enable them realise their full potentials of being great leaders of tomorrow.
Oke, made the disclosure at the venue of year 2019 Children’s Day celebrations held inside Ifako-Ijaiye Mini Stadium, Ifako,Lagos.
The Chairman, who was excited by the huge turnout of school children and students of both private and public primary and secondary schools in the council area, used the oçcasion to implore the children to remain focus on their studies and shun anti-social behaviour capable of ruining their future.
He also urged parents and guardians to be wary of the type of peer groups their children or wards keep as he said , “show me your friend and I will know the company you keep”, he added.
Speaking further, the council chief, enjoined parents to monitor their children even as he said” parents have a huge role to play in making their children’s dream come true as future great leaders”.
While promising to support the needs of children in the council area, Oke, used the event to reel out some of his administration’s scorecard since assuming power in the education sector. These include: sponsored Spelling BEE Competition amongst public primary and secondary schools, procured JAMB forms and offered free coaching for candidates seeking admissions in tertiary institutions in Nigeria and, instituted free scholarships for three best performed indigent candidates of Ifako-Ijaiye council area in JAMB examination.
He further restated his administration’s plans to reconstruct a block of classroom and re-roof the dilapidated block of classroom at Ogundimu Primary School,Elliot, and the plan to also sink boreholes in all primary schools, construct toilets, as well as upgrade food vendor’s stands.
The ceremony which witnessed a lot of side attractions featured, march past by children of both private and public schools in the council area, dancing competition, cultural display , cutting of the cake by the Chairman, his wife and children, as well as presentation of gifts to best performed schools.
The programme which had about sixty schools (private and public) in
attendance, distributed prizes to schools that distinguished themselves; while
the first position in the Primary Category
went to All Saint Primary School, second position was clinched by St Kizito’s
Primary School and third slot went to Coker Memorial Primary School.
For the secondary school category, the first position was clinched by Iju
Station Junior Sec. School, second position went to Keke Snr. High School,
while third slot went to Iju Obawole Sec. School.
Among dignitaries at the event are: Wife of the executive chairman, Pastor (Mrs) Modupe Oke, Leader of the House, Hon. Abiodun Akinola, Council Manager, Mr Ogunbambi, the Head, Education & Library Services, Mr Oluwatayo, LGA party chair, Deacon Omole, representative of the Tutor-general/ Permanent Secretary, District 1, Agege, Mrs Akinseyinwa Olajumoke, councillors, Ifako-Ijaiye Executive Committee members, top council staff and market leaders .
