A Lagos lawmaker, Mr. Setonji David, on Friday, distributed 100 General Certificate Examination (GCE) forms to indigent students in his constituency, with a call on government to subsidise education more, to assist more poor.
David, APC-Badagry II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, told newsmen while presenting the GCE registration forms to beneficiaries in Badagry that many poor people needed financial support to be able to get forms for external examinations.
He said that the charge of about N15, 000 for a General Certificate Examination (GCE) form, for example, was on the high side for the indigents.
According to him, if it is not more than N5, 000, many more students will be able to afford the fee.
David, the Chairman, House Committee on Physical Planning and Urban Development, said that investment in education would bring positive change to the society.
“I am a proponent of free education and I was a beneficiary of that. The best we can offer this country for better tomorrow is to provide free and quality education.
“That means that the cost of examinations, if at all students will pay, should be minimal. Many indigent students are finding it difficult to afford cost of some of the examinations.
“It is good government subsidises education more. There is no great nation in the world without huge investment in education. Education is the key to life.
“The more we educate our people, the better for our society, so I am a proponent of free education at all levels.
“We have a lot to do to restore the lost glory in the nation’s education. The standard of education today is very low and it is a cause for concern,” the lawmaker said.
According to him, Nigerian Universities and Colleges, in the past, attracted so many foreign students, but the reverse is the case now.
David said that his concern for the indigents in the society occasioned his annual gesture to students who could not pay for examinations in his constituency.
He advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity, urging them to endeavour to study hard and move forward in life.
“This is not the first time; I have been doing it every year trying to assist indigent students who cannot afford the pay for external examinations. This is the third time.
“The process of selection is not based on whether the beneficiary knows me or any person or not; it is based on verification of those who are genuinely indigents,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Miss Alimat Akilapa, from Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) said: “We thank our lawmaker for this opportunity, we promise to do well in the examination.”
Master Dele Olakunle, who also promised to excel in the examination, urged the lawmaker to continue his good work.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event was attended by APC leaders in the area as well as parents of the beneficiaries. (NAN)