By Tosin Ojoborun
Published by Blacktalker
The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to empowering children by providing quality education and platforms that nurture creativity, leadership, and self-confidence.
The First Lady, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu stated this at the finals of the All Public Primary Schools in Lagos Debate Competition, organised by the LGNews Academy, in collaboration with the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board and the Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria.
Mrs Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties to the Governor, Scholarstica Oyeniyi-Abass, reaffirmed the state government’s continued support for education and youth-centered initiatives designed to nurture future-ready leaders.
The First Lady commended the organizers, partners, and all supporters of the competition, encouraging them to keep investing in the intellectual and moral growth of children.
She urged the participants to view the platform as a springboard to becoming responsible, influential individuals whose voices would resonate in positions of impact.
“This type of partnership is timely and essential for nurturing intellectual excellence and critical thinking among our school children” She added.
“Through this platform, the organizers have created an avenue for intellectual engagement that sharpens the minds of our pupils, boosts their confidence, and encourages civic responsibility”
“This competition brings back fond and nostalgic memories of my own days as a young schoolgirl, several decades ago” Sanwo-Olu noted.
The topics selected for this competition:
“This House believes the Constitution must compel political office holders to send their children to public schools” and
“This House believes that Nigeria has the potential to be a World Superpower”, are bold and thought-provoking.
“They demand deep reflection and imaginative thinking, which these children have demonstrated so admirably” The First Lady said.
Also, The Chief Executive of LGNEWS Academy, Tunde Jakande, stated that the program was designed to inspire pupils to strive for improvement and reach their full potential.
Jakande said the purpose was to complement the efforts of the State government in education and the fill the mind of the pupils with memory.
He emphasized that if public office holders are compelled to promote public services, it could lead to improvements in the quality and efficiency of public institutions.
Jakande said the initiative was in line with the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus agenda to transform the mind of pupils in the State, to better learning and reading culture.
On his part, Ambassador, Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria, Peter Ryan who commended the teachers and the pupils, said the initiative aimed at promoting health rivalry as well as challenge the pupils in secondary schools in Lagos to aspire more in the area of education.
Ryan stated that the Embassy has always supported such programs in Nigerian schools and will continue to back efforts that strengthen the country’s education system.
Meanwhile, Agege LGEA emerged as the winner, with Oshodi LGEA taking second place and Alimosho LGEA coming in third. Agege also clinched the award for the overall best debate team.