Kunle ADELABU
-Contest renamed after late foremost educationist, Rasaq Solaja Alagago
-Hon. Agunbiade calls for reintroduction of prize giving day in schools
Torishade Ebenezer United High School, Ikorodu, Ishola Daniel , Majidun Junior College and Taiwo, Citizen Nursery/Primary School,Ikorodu, have emerged winners in the Senior Secondary School (SSS), Junior Secondary (JSS) and Primary School categories of the Hon. Sanai Agunbiade Best Brain Contest.
The winners in the SSS, JSS and Primary categories were given prize money of N50,000, N30,000 and N30,000 respectively, while the 4th to 11th positions in the three categories were presented with cheques of N10,000 each at the grand finale of the contest held at the premises of the Technical College, Ikorodu, on Wednesday, June 27, 2018.
All the participants were also given school bags and certificates of excellence.
The three winning schools were given the sum of N30,000, with trophies, while participating public schools were given copies of the research book on ‘Asa Arokolo’, a major festival in Ikorodu.
The initiative was designed to encourage healthy academic engagements among students in penultimate classes (Primary 5, JSS 2 and SSS 3) in both public and private schools.
The contest was renamed ‘Rasaq Solaja Alagago Best Brain Contest’ this year in honour of the late foremost educationist, administrator and community builder.
A total number of 224 school children (95 pupils primary schools, 66 students from junior secondary schools, 63 students from senior secondary schools) participated in this year’s written examination which took place at the Graphic Studio of the Technical College, Ikorodu, on Wednesday, March 7, 2018.
Dr Abiodun Fatai-Abatan, the Coordinator of the contest, described the event as the celebration of children and teachers in Ikorodu.
“Today, we would be celebrating our children and I am pleased to see that students, teachers and stakeholders in the education and political space have converged in making today an epoch in the history and development of education in Ikorodu, Lagos and Nigeria in general”.
“To ensure that the integrity of the exams, we invited independent invigilators, assessors and examiners drawn from the education industry and media practitioners under the supervision of Mr Fakolade, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Ikorodu Chapter.
“It is my hope that we would reap the fruit of Hon. S.O.B. Agunbiade’s contribution to the society in the area of education development, mentoring, eulogy of past heroes and the promotion of future leaders; as you give back to the society when you have the opportunity to do so”, Dr Abatan stated.
Hon. Agunbiade, while speaking, stated that, “Best Brain Contest is to bring students together and create a healthy academic and competitive environment among the students for the purpose of bringing out the best in them and celebrate them”.
He said that the contest is being renamed ‘Rasaq Solaja Alagago Best Contest’ because of the impact of the late educationist on him and the society in general.
Hon Agunbiade called on the stakeholders in Ikorodu to ensure that the likes of T.O.S Benson, Adeniran Ogunsanya, Balogun Jaiyesimi, Allison, Madam Ota and other legendary personalities are honoured.
The Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly also called for the revival of prize giving day in schools.
“I want to use the occasion to call for the revival of prize giving day. Some of us are product of such laudable initiative and we always look forward to the day during our schooling days. It is a good way of motivating and promoting our young ones to aspire for the best”, he appealed.
The Chairman of the occasion, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, former Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Lagos State and State Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos East Senatorial District, in his goodwill message tagged, “How Will My Yomorrow Be?”, informed the students that education is key to the attainment of the future aspiration.
Using his life as a good example of how education and commitment to self development can take man to the highest level, Asipa Olusanya recalled his humble unbringing on Lagos Island and how his parents struggled to give him education and life.
“Education is the most potent instrument that can get you to any place and position”, Asipa Kaoli stated.
He added that the society needed more educated people like Hon. Agunbiade in politics to bring about politics of issues and discourage violence.
In his goodwill message, Dr Ganiyu Oluremi Sopeyin, Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), commended Hon. Agunbiade for the initiative.
“One of the roles pof our representatives is to touch as many lives as possible in our various communities. Therefore, it is not surprising that our representative has interest in education, a strategic sector”.
“I have been informed that ‘Best Brain Contest’ is one of the numerous efforts of Hon. SOB Agunbiade to promote the development of education and nurture young and promising students in both public and private schools in Ikorodu Constituency I”, the SUBEB Chairman said.
Dkan David, a SSS 2 student of Appolian Comprehensive School and Omosiate Ariyo Hezekial, a student of Odogunyan Senior Grammar School emerged first and second runner-up respectively in the SSS category.
In the JSS 2 category, Bankole Margret of Great Fortune Academy and Akanbi Kolawole Azeez, a student of Yewa Junior Grammar School emerged first and secondary runners-up respectively
Mariam, a pupil of Omolaiye C.P.S School, Agura and Omobolarinwa , Methodist Primary School, Agur, emerged first and second runners-up respectively in the primary school category.
Other eminent personalities at the occasion were Alhaji Taiwo Longe, Ikorodu LG APC Chairman, Alhaji Sefiu Ogunyemi, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA APC Chairman, Hon. Iyiola, Ikorodu North APC Chairman, Sunday Kareem, Ijede LCDA APC Chairman, Elder Olakitan, Ikorodu West LCDA APC Chairman, Asiwaju Lateef Oduguwa, former Chairman, NUT Ikorodu, Comrade Oluwafemi Fakolade, NUT Chairman, Ikorodu chapter, Alhaja Lateefah Lamina, Proprietress, Lamina Group of Schools, Prince Ade Alokolaro, Alhaji Lemmy Anibaba among many others.
