Adeseye Ogunlewe, a former minister of works and housing, thinks there is still more work to be done in Lagos’ education sector, despite apparent improvements in standards.
Mr Ogunlewe stated this in an interview with journalists in Lagos on Sunday.
He remarked on the sidelines of the foundation-laying ceremony for a 100-student hostel at Lagos State Civil Service Model College in Igbogbo.
The former minister stated that the government should offer free textbooks, exercise books, and writing supplies to all students to support them.
“Basic education should be total and complete responsibility of government.
“Though the standard of education in Lagos state has increased, there is a lot that needs to be done.
“Free textbooks, exercise books and writing materials should be distributed as part of the government’s intervention to students,” Mr Ogunlewe said.
He said that such action by the state government will result in fewer out-of-school children.
The former minister also asked the government to increase school farming to alleviate food shortages and lower farm produce prices, as has been done in the past.
Speaking about the hostel, he stated that the family donated it so that the principal, instructors, and any National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who were deployed could stay on school grounds and provide good service delivery.
Mr Ogunlewe urged alumni from various schools to assist in the management and repair of their facilities, stating that it was not the government’s responsibility alone.
“The school land was donated by our great father for colonial and teacher training college.
“Thereafter, it turned into a civil service model college, but they don’t have enough accommodation for students, teachers and the principal.
“That is why my family decided to build the hostel for the school in celebration of our great icons, to uplift education in the community,” he said.
The hostel was donated in honour of two icons of the Fadugba-Ogunlewe royal families from the Igbogbo kingdom.
The families commemorated the 50th anniversary of the first traditional ruler of the Igbogbo kingdom, the late Oba Festus Ogunlewe (Fadugba 2), and the 76 years remembrance of the late Amos Ogunlewe.