‘Sanwo-Olu’s house gift is life-transforming act’

…Education Commissioner receives winners of Y2021 Presidents Teachers and Schools Excellence Award

Etim Ekpimah

A public-school teacher in Lagos State, Mrs Agnes Elusakin has described the gesture of Governor Babjide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to fulfil his promise of a house gift to outstanding teachers as a life-transforming act.

Appreciating the state government on Tuesday at the presentation of a two-bedroom and 3-bedroom flats, Mrs Iyabo Elusakin described Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as a man of the people, pointing out that this is a dream come true for her family.

Mrs Elusakin revealed that this laudable gesture is indeed life-transforming and a stir to encourage better performances in service delivery. She expressed her sincere appreciation to the Governor and promised not to relent in her efforts towards improving her service delivery in the education sector.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ganiu Lawal, on Wednesday.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has fulfilled the promise of two and three bedrooms flats each to outstanding teacher and school administrator in Lagos State.

The Governor is represented by Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, Commissioner for education and Hon. Maruf Akinderu-Fatai, Commissioner for Housing today officially presented a two-bedroom flat to Late Mr Pius Bababo Ikuseyidunmi, former principal of  Government Junior College, Ketu, Epe who emerged as a best school administrator in 2019 and three-bedroom apartment to Mrs Agnes Elusakin, a former teacher at Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu and now the Principal, Community Junior Secondary School who emerged as the winner of the best teacher award in 2019

Presenting the house keys to the awardees, today at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, Commissioner for Education, stated that the event is in fulfilment of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s promise to the 2019 Awardees of the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award for making the State proud adding that this administration has continued to provide continuous support for teachers by investing significantly in the sector.

Adefisayo condoled with the family on this great loss to the State but encouraged them that Lagos State will forever be proud of his immense contribution as formerly a teacher and while he served as principal in some of our schools.

The Commissioner, Ministry of Housing, Hon. Maruf Akinderu-Fatai noted that ever since Mr Governor made the promise, the Ministry of Housing has continued to follow up and constantly assuring recipients that a day like this will become a reality. He applauded the recipients for their patience and Mr Governor for keeping to his promise, analysing that he has remained consistent in touching every sector and improving lives.

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo also received awardees of Lagos State Y2021 Presidents Teachers and Schools Excellence Award with Bolade Junior Grammar School, Oshodi emerging as the best public secondary school in the Federation and two teachers; Mrs Temitope Salmot Obiwumi of Wahab Folawiyo Junior Secondary School emerged 2nd Runner Up as the best teacher in Junior Secondary School in Nigeria; Mr Rasheed Abolanle Odenike of Lagos State Civil Service Senior Model College, Igbogbo, Ikorodu who came 4th as the best teacher in Senior Secondary Schools in Nigeria.

She concluded that this feat is in testament to the improved infrastructure and manpower of the education sector in Lagos State. According to the Commissioner to the teachers, “You have transported Lagos State to National levels and beyond and I encourage all teachers to always stay focused determined and continue to learn new methods of cascading knowledge as the government will not reduce the standard of learning in schools.

In her words, “We are doing everything possible to provide quality education in Lagos State and the narrative of education is changing as the government is touching every school regardless of location.

The event had the attendance of Chairman Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM, Mrs Elizabeth Ariyo, Tutor Generals/Permanent Secretaries of Education Districts and Stakeholders in the Education Sector.