Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode,Tuesday, said his administration will stop at nothing to provide the very best of education for every child at all levels in the state in line with its all inclusive policy. Ambode also stressed that one of the core policy objectives of his government in the health sector is to build a vibrant healthcare system through the revitalization of all PHCs in the state as he commissioned nine newly renovated Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs). During the commissioning of several blocks of classrooms and school infrastructures across the state and the PHCs, Ambode said his resolve to ensure qualitative education for children prompted the investment of resources towards the provision and upgrading of infrastructure, particularly at the primary school level.
“More importantly, the basic education level is a crucial stage because it is the foundation upon which all other levels are built. It is our desire therefore to ensure that this level of education is strengthened to enhance the future prospects of our children and their ability to cope with the challenges of higher levels of education,” he said.
Represented at the commissioning of newly constructed block of 13 classrooms with other educational facilities at Community Primary School, Oke Ishagun in Alimosho by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs Oluranti Adebule, the Governor said his administration will not deviate from its vision to develop a robust public education system that can compare with the best in the world, just as he restated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the ongoing rehabilitation and construction of classrooms is extended to all public schools in the State irrespective of the area and location.
The Governor thanked teachers in Lagos for their role in moulding the lives of children, assuring that their dedication to their growth and development will continue to be rewarded by his administration with improved welfare and working conditions.
“To our pupils, the future belongs to you if you listen to your teachers and your parents. You can achieve anything you put your mind to but you must work hard and pay attention. Read your books and focus on achieving your dreams and develop yourself daily,” he said.
Besides, Governor Ambode also charged people of the community as well as community leaders to guard the facilities jealously, adding that they must be properly maintained so that they can serve for a long time.
Newly commissioned were the rehabilitated Block of 32 Classrooms with Office and Toilets, School Hall, Fence, Gate House and Food Shop at Christ Church Cathedral Primary School, Broad Street; Block of 13 Classrooms with Toilets, Offices and Fire Alarm at Community Primary School, Abule Eko, Ijede,Lagos; Block of 13 Classrooms with Toilets, Offices and Fire Alarm at Community Primary School, Ado Ikosi, Epe, Lagos and Six Classrooms with Toilets, Offices and Fire Alarm at Odu Abore Primary School, Mushin, Lagos.
At the commissioning of the newly renovated Pakpa-Uku Primary Health Care Centre, Agege, he said that primary healthcare is the bedrock of healthcare service delivery system worldwide as they are the closest to the people.
Represented at the event by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, the governor said that the renovation and equipping of the Pakpa-Uku PHC is in line with tate government’s desire to bring quality health care services close to where people live and work.
Ambode, noting that the facility should be the first point of contact for all households within the community, added that with the renovation of the PHC, the people of the community are assured of quality health care service delivery stressing that the PHC is equipped with medical facilities and personnel to attend to their health needs.
“Health conditions that are not within the capacity of this primary health care facility will be referred to the appropriate General Hospital for further examination and treatment”, the Governor stated.
The governor, through his representatives, also commissioned eight other newly renovated PHCs, including Sura Primary Healthcare Centre at Lagos Island East; Maidan Primary Healthcare Centre at Ikosi-Isheri; Orisunbare Primary Healthcare Centre at Alimosho; Agarawu Primary Healthcare Centre at Lagos Island; Oba Salami Primary Healthcare Centre at Yaba; Oshodi Primary Healthcare Centre; Onigbongbo Primary Healthcare Centre at Onigbongbo and the Ojodu Primary Healthcare Centre at Ojodu.
While commissioning a modern Fibre Glass Boatcdonated to riverine Communities in Epe, Ambode assured existing and potential investors in water transportation of the commitment of his administration to develop the sector to international standards through construction of modern jetties and terminals as well as channelization of waterways.
Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Lola Akande, said his administration was also making efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework for the effective monitoring of operators with an overriding objective of guaranteeing safety of lives on Lagos water ways.
He said that the boat was manufactured from durable Fibre Glass which makes it lighter and faster on the waterways compared to the conventional wooden boats, adding that it is also equipped with safety items, including standard safety vests to ensure that passengers are secured in the events of any mishap.
On the strategic benefits of the boat, the Governor expressed confidence that the Fibre Boats would give a boost to social and economic activities of the fishermen and fish processors in outlying island near Epe, by providing a fast means of moving their stock to the mainland while school children in the hinterland will be availed the opportunity of safe transportation to and from schools on the mainland.
HANNATU, 14, is the only child of Mr. and Mrs Bewarang. Her father is an old school teacher and mother, a house wife. The couple had lived all their lives in Kaduna and wanted their daughter and only child to get good education. As a teacher, Bewarang believed that education is the only legency that guarantees a bright future. Due to the challenges that comes with life when it is least expected and inability to cope with the financial demands, the family had no other choice but to send Hannatu to another couple whom they trusted and believe, will assist in educating their only daughter. Through that, they believed that their dream of educating Hannatu will be realized, at least, this is all they wanted -a future better than theirs. To the couple, another person playing their responsibility was very painful. But they had no other choice than to make the sacrifice. And the sacrifice include that of parting with their only child for the periods she would be in school.
According to the father, "We would also be living without her smiles in the morning." The mother added: "And no one to call us Mama and Papa. We are now just like a barren couple, but we have to bear it all." At age 14, Hannatu had to leave home to stay with her foster parents at a period most of her peers still enjoy the love of their biological parents. And the distance was not close-by; she left Kaduna State to school in Lagos.
Hannatu ...In a group study
And that was how Hannatu's sojourn into the unknown began. To her parents, oblvious of the weigth of their actions; their innocent daughter was being sent into a life of abuse, sexual assaults and psychological torture. In fact, being sent to school was only in their dream. The reality is that young Hannatu was being subjected to live a life of constant abuse, pain and torture all in a bid to get educated. On a consistent basis, cases like Hannatu's bring tears to the eyes according to Desmond Shepherd of Truerise Media, a non-governmental organization that produced the movie showcasing Hannatu's happenstance. He noted that this is the reason that campaign for girl-child education remains on the increase. In fact, some of the trials and challenges that come with it are captured in the movie, Hannatu, initiated to showcase the plight, dangers and challenges some parents go through in an attempt to train their children, especially the girl child.
The movie, produced and directed by Best Okoduwa, stars nollywood actor and actresses such as: Greg Ojefua, Doris Simeon, Christian Paul, Carol Lee Erhabor and 'introducing' Anita Udoh as Hannatu. And what becomes of Hannatu? Did she make it? Was her parents efforts worth the sacrifice? These and many more are the suspend soaked in the tension-filled movie coupled with intrigues that keeps the viewer glued till the very end.