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A former Minister of Works and Housing, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, has emphasized the need for increased efforts in the education sector in Lagos State, despite noticeable improvements. Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday during the foundation laying ceremony of a 100-student capacity hostel at Lagos State Civil Service Model College, Igbogbo, Ogunlewe highlighted several areas needing attention.
Ogunlewe stressed the importance of government-provided free textbooks, exercise books, and writing materials to support students. “Basic education should be the total and complete responsibility of government. Though the standard of education in Lagos State has increased, there is a lot that still needs to be done. Free textbooks, exercise books, and writing materials should be distributed as part of the government’s intervention to students,” he said. Ogunlewe believes such measures would help reduce the number of out-of-school children.
The former minister also called on the government to reinstate and intensify school farming programs to address food shortages and reduce the cost of farm produce, as was done in the past.
Speaking on the newly initiated hostel project, Ogunlewe explained that his family donated the facility to provide accommodation for the principal, teachers, and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members. This, he said, would enhance effective service delivery within the school. He urged alumni to support their schools’ management and maintenance, noting that infrastructure upkeep is not solely the government’s responsibility.
“The school land was donated by our great father for colonial and teacher training college. Thereafter, it turned into a civil service model college, but they don’t have enough accommodation for students, teachers, and the principal. That is why my family decided to build the hostel for the school in celebration of our great icons, to uplift education in the community,” Ogunlewe stated.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the hostel was donated in remembrance of two icons from the Fadugba-Ogunlewe royal families of the Igbogbo kingdom. The families marked the 50th anniversary of the late Oba Festus Ogunlewe (Fadugba 2), the first traditional ruler of Igbogbo kingdom, and the 76th anniversary of the late Amos Ogunlewe.
