By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos State governor , Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday said that his administration will remain committed to inclusive education and provision of more opportunities for girls with disrupted schooling.
Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance at the inauguration of the rehabilitated Alternative High School for Girls, Agboju in Amuwo-Odofin council area of Lagos State.
The governor was represented by his wife, Ibijoke.
He described the rehabilitated school as a pioneer intervention providing opportunities for girls whose education was disrupted by early pregnancy, poverty and other life’s challenges to regain learning, dignity and productive citizenship.
“No girl should be written off because life interrupted her education; every child deserves opportunities, dignity and a pathway back to learning and productive citizenship,” he said.
He said the school had enabled young women to obtain Senior Secondary School Certificate while acquiring relevant skills and values and having opportunities necessary for productive participation in the society.
“Lives have been redeemed and futures rewritten, proving that second-chance education can restore dignity, unlock potential and produce professionals, entrepreneurs and responsible mothers,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu said the rehabilitation aligned with his administration’s THEMES Plus Agenda.
He said that the agenda prioritised education, technology, infrastructure and inclusive learning across the state’s six education districts.
He said that the state government had continued upgrading classrooms, expanding scholarships, promoting digital skills and strengthening safe learning environments to improve education outcomes.
“Lagos State will sustain this school’s mission and ensure that its model strengthens our efforts to reach every out-of-school child,” he said.
He urged the students to reject stigmatisation, pursue their education with determination and use opportunities provided by the institution to make positive contributions to the society.
“Let no one define you by your past; study hard, dream boldly, and go on to lift others as you have been lifted,” he said.
The governor commended the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for extending the Alternative High School for Girls model across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones through the Renewed Hope Initiative for vulnerable girls.
Earlier, the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education,
Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, described the rehabilitated school as evidence of renewed commitment to quality, inclusive and relevant education for girls across Lagos State.
Alli-Balogun said the school would provide girls with a safe environment to learn and develop their talents and skills as well as prepare for productive citizenship, self-reliance and lifelong personal growth.
“Your circumstances may explain where you are coming from, but they do not determine where you are going; your future remains within your reach,” he said.
He said the state was grateful to the Federal Government, development partners, teachers, parents and stakeholders whose contributions supported transformation of the school.
The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Aisha Garba, said Federal Government’s education reforms focused on improving quality, expanding access and reducing the number of out-of-school children.
“UBEC has comprehensively rehabilitated this facility with ICT materials, furniture, skill development equipment, laboratory facilities, computer laboratories and improved learning spaces for students and teachers,” Garba said.
She urged stakeholders, communities and parents to protect, maintain and support the school and its students.
“The second Alternative High School for Girls in Ikorodu is at an advanced stage of completion and will soon be commissioned, further expanding opportunities for girls across Lagos,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
MIL/IGO
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Edited by Ijeoma Popoola