THE Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has said the socio-economic condition of a family should not deny the children the opportunity of accessing quality education, adding that it is a tool for development.
Ambode said this on Sunday during a programme organised by the Renaissance Group, a non-governmental organisation, to distribute 300 November/December West African Senior School Certificate Examination forms to indigent pupils in Epe, Lagos State.
The governor, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr. Kehinde Joseph, urged recipients to reciprocate by achieving good grades.
“This gesture underscores the importance of education as an indispensable tool for personal, community and national development. Our government will ensure that no child is denied access to education on the basis of his or her socio-economic background. Members of this group have alleviated the financial burden from the shoulders of your parents and you should reciprocate by studying hard and making good grades,’’ he said.
In his address, the Chairman of the group, Mr. Abiodun Muritala, said over 600 forms had been given out in the last three years to indigent pupils from 30 wards which make up the Epe division. He added that scholarships worth N250,000 would be given to pupils with the best result from each local government area.
The Provost, Lagos State College of Primary Education, Prof. Olu Akewusola, said the benefits of the initiative might not be realised soon. He also commended members of the group for the initiative.
“You are on the path of producing professors, governors, pharmacists and engineers. In 1987, Michael Otedola organised a foundation and he started giving out scholarships to indigent pupils. If it was not for that scholarship of N1,000 that he gave to me when I was seeking admission into the University of Lagos, I would not have been a professor today. This is because I was already a cab driver and had no financial help from anybody. I congratulate you for this initiative,” he said.
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