Kunle Adelabu
The Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Education, Mr Tokunbo Wahab has revealed that 29, 801 students have been given N992 Million as scholarship and bursary awards in the last two years.
Wahab also assured that the state would continue to invest in education to bring about more development.
He spoke at the School of Agriculture Auditorium, Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu, the venue of the Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru’s Scholarship award presentation of N50, 000 each to 600 students across the Lagos East Senatorial District on Thursday, October 14, 2021.
The Special Adviser commended the Senator for complimenting the efforts of the state government in building human capital that would bring more prosperity and development to the state.
“For Mr Governor, Mr Babajide Olushola Sanwo – Olu, there is nothing more important than investing in human capital” , Mr Wahab said.
“Why is it that countries with all the human resources in the world, like Zaire, Congo and the rest, are the poorest countries on the index capital while those countries with investment in human capital in terms of education and health, are on the topmost hierarchy when it comes to development?”, he asked rhetorically.
“It is because development is driven by human capital and nothing else. You may have all the resources but if you don’t have good investment in terms of education and health, you are not going anywhere.
“As a state, Mr Governor, in the last two years, has given the sum of N 493 Million as bursary to 27, 000 students and N499m as scholarship to 2801 students”, Mr Wahab said.
“We have to keep investing but people will tell you that it is not like roads and other infrastructure, but if you build those things and people are not educated, it goes to waste”, he said.
While commending the Senator for the gesture which he said will have much more multiplier effects, Mr Wahab also added that it would afford the Lagos East Senatorial District to catch – up with other parts of the state.
“I want to thank the distinguished Senator for this good gesture. I remember that we had to brainstorm for weeks on how to go about it; reasons why we have to do it and way forward for our children”, he recalled.
“With due respect, we need to catch – up in Lagos East Senatorial District and that starts with education.
“What the Senator is doing for our people today is not just an investment but also showing them the light and the path to development.
“Even though you have given 600 of our best encouragement in terms of this (bursary), the multiplier effect goes beyond these 600. It also motivates the other students within the ecosystem.
“But what you are investing in them in terms of education goes beyond other infrastructures and that is why I want to thank you on behalf of the governor. Your starting point is 600 and I believe that by next year, you will multiply it for more students to benefit”, the Special Adviser said.
