Ms Jemimah Marcus, the one-day governor of Lagos State, has called for increased funding for the education sector to ensure a better learning environment and experience.
Marcus made the announcement in Lagos on Monday, when Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu relinquished the seat of authority to her for a brief period of time to serve as one-day Governor of Lagos State.
She stated that more funding would allow for more schools, particularly in areas where some students learn under difficult conditions.
She emphasized the importance of investing more in digital literacy across the state’s public schools, urging Sanwo-Olu to ensure that the metropolitan fiber being laid across Lagos is installed in public schools as promised.
The 17-year-old student of Angus Memorial Secondary School in Somolu, Lagos East, also asked her parents for help in realizing her future ambitions.
Marcus, an Edo native, won the 2020 edition of the Spelling Bee Competition, earning the title of one-day governor.
Marcus, who presided over the cabinet meeting, praised the Sanwo-Olu administration for launching commendable programs through the T.H.E.M.E.S agenda to improve governance and service delivery.
She referred to Sanwo-Olu as a “transformational leader” who had made huge strides in education, health, housing, infrastructure renewal, transportation, youth and women development in the administration’s final two years.
“Dear Mr. Governor, I commend your team on its excellent leadership and proactive approach in critical sectors. To improve access to education, the state government has begun to renovate schools and build new ones.
“This effort has been supplemented by massive innovative programs like EKO EXCEL, Lagos Learns Together, Read Loud, EKO Digital School, and the job initiative.”
“These commendable programs have had an impact on students, teachers, and out-of-school learners, as the initiatives have improved teaching and learning with outstanding results.”
“With the implementation of technology, I can say that teaching techniques in Lagos schools are no longer what they once were.”
“The success of these programs is evident in the academic performance of students,” the one-day governor said.
She called the one-day governorship a “dream come true” and praised Sen. Oluremi Tinubu for the legacy initiative.
The Spelling Bee competition, a competition between public schools in Lagos, is one of the legacy programs in the state education sector that was pioneered in 2001 by the then-First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, through her New Era Foundation.
Since 2015, the state government has taken full control of the program, working with partners and stakeholders to help it achieve its goals.
In response, Sanwo-Olu stated that the one-day governorship program was one of the methods used by the state to develop future leaders.
He stated that the initiative provided winners with the opportunity to improve their learning while also exposing them to the fundamentals of public administration.
“I am pleased to report that the competition has met its vision and objectives.” The organizers will monitor your future endeavors to ensure you develop the necessary leadership skills and become responsible citizens.
“Your success in the competition inspires us to do even more, particularly in education.”
“We will make certain that your teachers are properly encouraged so that they can continue to impart quality knowledge across our various schools,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The first and second runners-up are Ajose Sotin, 17, of Topo Senior Grammar School in Badagry, and Edeh Rhema, 19, of Nawair Ud-Deen Senior High School in Oyingbo.
Prior to the cabinet meeting, the Spelling Bee winners were given a tour of the government’s offices, buildings, and the governor’s official residence.