By Lukman Olabiyi, Lagos
The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has stated that his administration would not relent in making children’s welfare its priority with good policy.
Sanwo-Olu made the statement at the 2023 Children’s Day Celebration with themed “More Money for Primary Education”.
He said his administration had not defaulted in paying the fees for the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for students of Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) of the state’s public schools in the last four years.
Sanwo-Olu who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, at the occasion, disclosed his administration spent over N4.2 billion in the space of four years for the payment in line with the free education policy of the government.
“I want to tell you the truth that is shared by all of us here, without you, the children, we would have little joy and we would have no love at all. That is why it is our belief that you are the most precious creation in the world. We are bound to protect, guide and love all our children with our might because you are our greatest treasure,” he said.
“We did not default in the payment of WAEC fees in all our public school SS3 students in the last four years. Over N4.2bn was spent in the last four years to keep our promise of free payment of the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination fees to allow our students to move up the ladder and to ensure no student is left behind in secondary school education,” he said.
In his remark, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Abayomi Abolaji, said the 2023 Children’s Day Celebration was important, forming part of the inauguration activities lined up to herald the second term in office of Mr Sanwo-Olu and Dr Hamzat, as governor and Deputy, respectively.
According to him, the theme forms a significant discourse in the development of education, speaking to the relevance that more attention is needed “for our children to be properly taken care of in their formative years.”
He appreciated Governor Sanwo-Olu and his deputy for what he described as “their genuine interest in the total welfare, education and development of children in the State.”