Kunle ADELABU
The Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary (TG/PS), Education District II, Maryland, Mr Olusanya Ebenezer Abayomi, Boys Scout uniform. With him were Mrs Olubunmi Olanrewaju, Director, Director of Co-Curricular, Science and Technology Department (2nd R), Mrs Agunloye A, the Director of Administration and Human Resources (2nd L) and Mrs Taiwo Sowemimo, the Director of School Support (Left)
The Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary (TG/PS), Education District II, Maryland, Mr Olusanya Ebenezer Abayomi, has stated that membership of voluntary organizations can help in building character, intelligence and other positive features in the youths.
He stated this at the maiden edition of the annual uniformed voluntary organization Day of Education District II held at the playing ground of the Government Model College, Ikorodu, on Monday, April 1, 2019.
The event had the attendance of hundreds of students who dressed in their different voluntary organizations’ uniforms such as Girls Guide, Sheriff Guide, Scout Association, Man ‘O’ War Boys and Girls Brigade among others.
The students also engaged in colorful parade.
The event also brought back the fond memories of the good old days when members of voluntary organizations usually go camping as the students had fun singing and dancing round burning fire while the Tutor-General, who was obviously excited by the scene, was seen moving round the burning fire to exchange pleasantries with the students.
Mr Abayomi, while speaking at the event which was attended by schools across the District, stated:
“The importance of uniformed societies cannot be over emphasized going by the fact that it helps in character and intelligence building.
“It encourages skills and handcraft through badges for proficiency.
“Furthermore, Uniformed Voluntary organisations promote physical health and hygiene.
“Lastly, it brings about service and fellowship to humanity”, TG/PS stated in his address.
He disclosed that the Lagos State Government would be sponsoring the event annually.
“Lagos State Government deemed it necessary in setting all machineries in motion by encouraging the programme annually to ensure reliability, purposeful and responsible future leaders among our youths. The youths of today are the leaders of tomorrow”.
He added that leadership qualities in youths can be harnessed through voluntary organizations.
“The God given talents of our children in the realm of leadership can be harnessed by encouraging them to belong to these organizations voluntarily in order to develop the potentials in them. Nothing can beat talent because it is the greatest of all gifts”.
Mr Abayomi stated that he was happy to be part of the historic event which he described as ‘moment of reawakening.
“I feel highly elated and fulfilled to be part of this epoch making event in the anals of Education District II. We are witnessing a moment of re-awakening as far as this programme is concerned.
“I want to seize this opportunity to encourage our schools to put in every seriousness and efforts to sensitize and raise awareness of our students through importation of good behavior, dedication to duties, Spartan discipline, ability to work independently, working as a team member, maturity and emotional stability in order to achieve this”.
Mrs Olubunmi Olanrewaju, the Director of Co-Curricular, Science and Technology Department, Education District II and the host of the event, in her speech, thanked the Tutor-General, directors and all principals and head teachers for their supports in making the event a success.
She stated that the department would be rolling out other programmes with the approval that would be of great benefits to the children and teachers.
A special Education District II anthem, composed by the Director of Co-Curricular, Science and Technology Department, Mrs Olanrewaju, was rendered by the choir of the Education District led by Mrs Taiwo Sowemimo, to the amazement of top officials of the district, teachers and students.
