The Lagos State Government has called on corporate organizations and other stakeholders to support quality education in the state, stressing that it’s the basis of sustainable development.
The appeal was made on Wednesday in Lagos during the presentation of bursary to 1, 246 tertiary school students who were indigenes of the state.
The state government, through the Lagos State Scholarship Board, paid N95.4m to the undergraduates who came from the Lagos State University, Law School and Maritime Academy, Oron, Akwa Ibom.
The Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed.
She said it was high time corporate organizations made meaningful contribution to the development of education in the state.
Orelope-Adefulire said, “Indeed the provision of quality education is capital intensive, particularly in Lagos State, the commercial capital of Nigeria, with a gaping need for infrastructural renewal in virtually every sector of its economy.
“This is why I appeal to individuals and corporate organisations to support our administration’s initiative on the need for public-private partnership in education.
“You are not just doing a social responsibility project; but you are helping to invest and build a future for our country.”
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Fatai Olukoga, said the money the government was giving to the students was to help cushion the effect of the increase in their tuition.
He observed that the gesture would also reduce the hardship of indigent students.
He added that the programme was also to accelerate educational advancement in the state.
“In furtherance of these objectives, the Lagos State Government has been committed to effective manpower development of its citizenry through the granting of bursary, local and foreign scholarships,” Olukoya said.
