Press Releases

Children’s Day: We’ll Continue To Prepare Youngsters For Life After School - Fashola

May 27, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Wednesday joined children all over the world in celebrating the Children’s Day, stressing that the present administration will continue to take decisions and implement programmes that will prepare the youngsters for life after school.

Governor Fashola who spoke after taking the salute from at a parade and march past of selected school pupils and representatives of voluntary organizations at the Police College, Ikeja added that as part of this measure, skill acquisition, workshops and programes that would empower the young ones with skills that can make them self employed would be held this year.

He also implored the children to take advantage of the leadership conference which started last year with over 3,000 people participating.

Governor Fashola also said efforts of the present administration to prepare the children today for the challenges of tomorrow informed the relaunch of voluntary Uniformed Organisations in public schools to give wider scope to develop positive leadership skill through creative activities and valuable use of time.

He added that climate change clubs have been launched in all public schools to enable young ones learn about a phenomenon that poses a threat to humanity and take a lead from an early age in checking.

The Governor said this was also why the administration initiated the school Traffic Advocacy Programme to enable pupils become safety agents on our roads even before they become adults.

While reminding the young ones that no accomplishment in life comes easy, he added that attaining excellence in any endeavour demands determination, dedication, discipline and hardwork.

“You must have a clear focus early in life of what you want to achieve and pursue your vision with uncommon devotion”, he added.

“Every country on earth has its own share of human problems and our country is no exception. But among you are future doctors who will heal the ailments of the sick; architects and engineers who will build super highways, skyscrapers and other structures that will dazzle the world, great lawyers who will open new vistas in the knowledge and interpretation of the law“, the Governor said.

While reminding the children that the mind is a terrible thing to waste, the Governor advised: “you can cultivate the powers of your mind through reading on diverse subjects, developing the habit of curiosity, observing and learning from nature, travelling and engaging in wholesome recreational activity”.

Governor Fashola who also reminded the children on the need to learn from the vast resources on the internet and the various global television channels like CNN, Discovery and National Geographical. He however advised them to shun pornography.

Reiterating the pledge of the Administration to look after the young ones at all times, the Governor declared: “We are what we are today because of the investment of time, resources, emotions and care made in us by our parents, guardians, teachers and mentors. In the same vein, it is our responsibility to invest in your tomorrow today so that you are equipped to take charge of our society’s future when we have played our roles and retired”.

He added that the cardinal priority of this administration is to empower the youths today and leaders of tomorrow, to realize their dreams and aspirations as they grow up in a major global mega city like Lagos.

Governor Fashola added that in the last one year, the administration has ensured that as he promised on the occasion of Children’s Day last year, “your dreams now drive ours, your hopes fuel our spirit, they inspire us to continue, because of the expectation see in your eyes, the innocence of your trust and belief that our government can make it happen”.

“Since we met last year we have intensified efforts to prepare the future for you by doing so many other things in transportation, education, health care, skill development, job creation and many more.

We have developed programmes specifically to ensure that your keen and active minds and bodies are kept busy throughout the year”, Governor Fashola added.

He charged each one of them to realize that they are individuals of great worth and value who mean so much to the society and the future, adding that they cannot afford to jeopardise their potentials through negative peer associations that result in drug abuse, truancy, cultism, participation in examination malpractices and other social vices.

Speaking earlier, the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mrs Funmilayo Tejuosho charged the children to aspire to be the best in whatever field in life, praying for God’s guidance in the process.

Goodwill messages were also delivered by the Head of Service, Alhaji Yakub Balogun and Special Adviser on Education, Profesor Elijah Olu Adewale.

Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) was clad in complete Boys Scout outfit just as other members of the State Executive Council wore uniforms of the different voluntary associations at the parade which also had in attendance the First Lady, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan and members of the State House of Assembly.

The parade featured representatives of selected schools and members of the Boys Scout, Boys Brigade, Girls Guide, Sheriff Guards and the Red Cross.