Sanwo-Olu in Ikorodu, urges youths to leverage on technology 

By Abimbola Joseph

CITIZENS COMPASS–The wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, advised teachers and students to leverage on technology to enhance teaching and learning process.

She gave the advise at the grand finale of Ikorodu Division inter-school debate competition for public secondary schools at the Lagos State University of Science and Technology(LASUSTECH) in Ikorodu, Lagos.

The Citizen Compass reports that 16 public secondary schools participated in the competition that started three-weeks ago.

It was organised in collaboration with Kaodwad and Associates and the Senator representing Lagos-East Senatorial District, Tokunbo Abiru and Member, House of Representatives, Babajimi Benson, Mr Gbolahan Ogunleye and Member,  Lagos House of Assembly who donated Laptops and cash.

“It is important to leverage on technology to improve teaching and learning process.

“This is essential and critical to protect the future of our children and young people.

“It is very competitive, so we have to give them the basic tools which is education, embed in them properly to make them compete with children all over the world,” she said.

She urged stakeholders to begin passionate advocacy for the kind of education that would prepare the students to be academically excellent and commended the participants.

According  to her, to be financially emancipated they must guided to discover themselves to acquire the right skills to be competitive in various sectors and be champion globally making their parents and the state proud.

“This will further fulfil our ambition of raising young individuals and quality leaders.

“Quality leaders that will guarantee a greater future for Lagos state and our country Nigeria,” she said.

Earlier in his remark, Mr Wasiu Adesina, Ikorodu Local Government Chairman said the debate competition was an initiative designed to sharpen the reasoning, eloquent, and critical thinking of students.

Adesina added that the debate competition is a broader vision to create a culture of academic excellence in the public schools as well as equipping them with skills needed to engage with the world confidently and effectively.

“Today’s grand finale marks the culmination of months of rigorous engagement where our pupils demonstrated their brilliance and potentials.

“I am credibly proud of each participant and I salute their courage and dedication to learning.

“I believe that the knowledge and confidence gained from the exercise will serve them well as they navigate their academic journey and future career,” he said.

The chairman said that the first position would be given a cash gift of N500,000 with a laptop and the first runner up would go home with N300,000 with a laptop while the second runner up would get N200,000 with a laptop.

Earlier in his address, Oba Kabir Shotobi, (Ayangburen of Ikorodu) urged the student not to engage in hard drugs, cultism and social vices, and encourage the parent to continue to add value to their children.

Citizen Compass reports that Elepe Senior Grammar School emerged winner with an impressive score of 76.3, winning ₦500,000 and a laptop, Government Senior Model College as first runner up scored 74.1, went home with  ₦300,000 and a laptop. 

Ipakodo Senior Secondary School emerged second runner up with 70.0 points, receiving ₦200,000 and a laptop. Igbokuta Senior Model College won the fourth place with a score of 68.5.

Similarly, Miss Onah Grace, the lead debate of Elepe Grammer school extend hee gratitude to the first lady of Lagos state and the council boss for initiating such programme that give student opportunity to showcase their talent.

Present at the event were ; Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, GAC member and chairman of the occasion, representative of Sen. Adetokunbo Abiru, Dr. Saheed Ibikunle among others.