The constitution of Nigeria places the responsibility of Primary education on the laps of Local Government while section 2, sub section 1 of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act of 2004 also confers responsibility  on Local Governments to make available ‘’free, compulsory and Universal basic education for every child of primary school age’’.

However, the dwindling performance and the drop in the standard of education in the country have become a major challenge and concern. The stakeholders in the education sector met on Wednesday 16^th May, 2012 at Yaba LCDA in an interactive session to fashion out the way forward towards improving the quality of academic performance of our pupils

The session which had Mr Akin Bushiru, MD/CEO Makib Ventures Consultants as a guest lecturer, was attended by notable people in the education sector such as the Parents Teacher’s Associations, Head Teachers, Principals, Community Development Associations members, Local Education Authority officials, Old Students Associations, Student Parliamentarians and Pupils and Students of Primary and Secondary Schools.

The Chairman of Yaba LCDA, Hon. AbdulRaheem Olajide Jimoh in his speech said if Nigeria must take its rightful position in the comity of nations, we must take urgent steps to stem the decline in the standard of education in the country.

To achieve this, every stakeholder in the education sector has a crucial role to play. The essence of the brain storming and interactive session therefore is to mark out and identify roles of various stakeholders with the purpose of proffering the needed, long lasting and practicable solutions to the multifarious, multi-pronged problems that are afflicting our educational sector.

Paper was presented on ‘’Raising the educational Performance of Students of Yaba Local Council Development Area’’ by Mr Akin Bushari, an educational consultants. Communiqué was presented at the end of the session.

Dignitaries at the high table                        Cross section of stakeholders at the interractive session

Dignitaries at the interractive session           Chairman  addressses the gathering

Chairman read his speech                               stakeholders listening to the chairman’s speech

Another cross section of stakeholders         Mr Akin Bashiru, the guest speaker

Paper presentation by the guest speaker, Mr Akin Bashiru

Alhaji Farayola, LGA chairman and              Hon Jide Jimoh and Mr Akin Bashiru after his lecture.

some of the Executive members.

Chairman responding to some issues raised          Alhaji farayola and Mr Doyin Rojaye

by the stakeholders during the interractive session

stakeholders at the session                              Mr Akin Bashiru responding to issues raised

Hon Jide Jimoh responding to                       Miss Dupe Adebayo of student paliament

stakeholders questions and comments

hon. Jide Jimoh pledges his support              Group photograph with members of the student parliament.

to the members of student parliament

“Action may not always being happiness; but there is no happiness without action.

- Benjamin Disraeli

The need to bring together most of the stakeholders in the education sector is lucidly demonstrated in Disraeli’s words quoted above.  If Nigeria must take its rightful place in the comity of nations, then, we must take urgent steps to stem the decline in the standard of education in this country.  The role of stakeholders in this regard cannot be over-emphasized.  There is no doubt that every class of stakeholders has a crucial role to play.  However, it cannot be said with an air of finality that all of us know what to do in achieving the desired Eldorado.

The 1999 constitution placed responsibilities of primary school education on the laps of Local Governments. In addition to this, Section 2, sub Section 1 of the compulsory, free Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act of 2004 also conferred legitimacy on the Local Governments to make available “free, compulsory and universal basic education for every child of primary school age”.  The UBE Act provides the opportunity for the Federal, State and Local Governments to collaborate in the financing and monitoring of primary and junior secondary education in Nigeria.

It is in compliance with this Act that today’s forum has been convened.  The following stakeholders are therefore adequately represented: the Schools, the Community, Teachers, Parents-Teacher’s Associations, Pupils, Old Student’s Associations as well as the Local Government.

We envisage a brain storming session, one that will not only mark out and identify roles of various stakeholders, but a solution-proffering session.  It is not enough for us to beam a searchlight on the multifarious, multi-pronged problems afflicting our education sector, we must be able to proffer long lasting, practicable solutions to them.  The words of Leo F. Buscaglia are worthy of note here: “Don’t spend your precious time asking ‘Why isn’t the world a better place?  It will only be time wasted.  The question to ask is :  How can I make it better.”

On our part, we have committed and are still committing huge sums of money to bring qualitative education to the doorsteps of our people.  The primary schools we built are of international standard.  Some of them are, Myoung Barracks Primary School, All Saints Primary School, and Talim-Islamiyah Primary School.  We have paid for examination forms, organized exam coaching classes, established youth parliament and organized spelling bee competition.  We have supplied customized school bags and exercise books among others.

As we speak, construction works are on-going in various schools across the Local Council Development Area.  We are poised for more action as we have made education one of the priorities of this administration.

I hereby appeal that we should make this forum as interactive as possible.  Let each person say his or her mind.  Those who know should teach those who do not know.  It is refreshing that a guest lecturer is billed to address the gathering.  There is no substitute to knowledge.  M.C. Richards has put it succinctly:  “A Knowledge of the path cannot be substituted for putting one foot in front of the other”.   I wish you a fruitful deliberation.

Thank you and God bless.

EKO O NI BAJE

You Are Blessed Always (YABA)

PHOTORAMA

Dignitaries at the interractive session               Hon Jide Jimoh and the guest lecturer at the occasion.

Cross section of the stakeholders                    The Student Parliamentarians at the interractive session

Members of Student Parliament.                  Hon Jide Jimoh and dignitaries in a group

in a group Photograph                                    Photograph with members of Student Parliament.

The chairman, while chatting with a correspondent, said Prof. Sofoluwe would be remembered in Yaba LCDA for his useful and timely advice to his government. The vice Chancellor was a member of the Yaba Community Advancement Council, a body which was a think tank to provide advice and to generate ideas and resources for the social, environmental and economic development of Yaba Local Council Development Area.  He prayed that God would give the family, the University community, his professional colleagues and the entire students the fortitude to bear the loss.

Condolence register corner                            Hon Jide Jimoh in hand shake with a correspondent.

Hon Jide Jimoh queueing to sign the condolence register      signing of condolence register at the senate building

Hon Jide Jimoh while signing the               Majority leader Yaba LCDA queuing to sign

condolence register.                                        the condolence register

Members of the Executive council                   Hon. Jide Jimoh chatting with Channels

during the condolence visit to UNILAG         television correspondent on the death of the V C

Members of the Executive and Management team during the visit at the University senate building

The Chairman at the V C Lodge                       The Vice Chairman, Chairman and the Council Manager

Family members of the late V C welcome the Chairman and his team  in his lodge

Prayer time at the deceased residence

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The Chairman enjoined the new appointees to see their appointment as an opportunity to contribute their own quota towards moving Yaba to the zenith of greatness. The liaison officers are to serve as link between the government and the people of their respectful communities in the area of providing up to date information about happenings and needs of the community.

SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANTS.

-         ALHAJI IBRAHIM BABAMALE

-         MRS MODUPE OLA

-         MR SOLOMON GBINIGIE

-         MR BRUNO ITOBORE ORUKPE

-         MR OLALEYE MICHAEL OLADIPUPO

-         ALHAJA TINUBU

-         HON. SAMUEL JONES

-         HON. SHORUNMU H. A.

-         MRS YETUNDE ALLI-BALOGUN

-         MR LATEEF ADELANWA

-         MR JAMES AYODEJI OJO

-         MUSIBAU BAMIGBAYE

SPECIAL ASSISTANTS

-         MR AYODELE PETER

-         MR SAHEED DAWODU

-         MRS MARIAM SHOKUNBI

-         MR MICHAEL OGUNTUGA

-         MISS FOLAKE SULAIMON

-         MR KAYODE ADEWUYI

-         MRS FUNMILAYO OMOWALE

-         MR SHAKIRU OJO

-         MR  ADEROUNMU AFOKE

-         MR KAYODE OLUJOBI

-         MR WASIU YUSUF

-         MR SOLA ONASANYA

-         MRS FUNMILAYO OLUWOGA

LIAISON OFFICERS

-         ADENEYE SALIMONU

-         ABDULLAHI AHMED

-         KAZEEM ADEBOLA

-         KABIRU MOMODU

-         DELE GBAJUMO

-         KUNLE ALAYANDE

-         YAKUBU IBRAHIM

-         HAKEEM OSHIKOYA

-         FELIX NEJO

-         FELIX ISIBOR

-         BOSE BENSON

-         SHADE ONIGBINDE

-         OLA  ALIMI

-         OGAMI O. ROBINSON TAIYE

-         SEMIU OLOWOJEUNJEJE

-         OLUKAYODE AKINTOYE ADEBOWALE

-         VINCENT AISUEBEOGUN

-         BIOLA OKUSANYA

-         CALEB AJIMUDA

The purpose of the visit was to sympathise with the entire council on the demise of the Branch NULGE Chairman, Comrade Abdul-Sheriff Ayinde (a.k.a Olowe) who lost his life in a ghastly Motor accident.  They prayed to God to grant him eternal rest. A letter of appreciation was delivered to the Chairman.

Responding, the Chairman thanked members of the Executive for the visit and prayed that such a thing would never happen again.

LETTER OF APPRECIATION.

DAY ONE

Banner of the workshop                  Hon Jde Jimoh              Hon Jide Jimoh & Mr Peter Jide Jimoh

Mrs Bamisaye Oni                          Prayer by Bamisaye Oni             Mr Oni, Hon Linda John,Hon Jide Jimoh & Mr peter Jide Jimoh.

Cross section of Participants at the two day workshop.

Information Officer Yaba LCDA          SLG Yaba LCDA             Vice Chairman, Chairman & Mr Peter Jimoh

DAY  TWO

Otunba Ogunlaja delivering his paper      Cross section of participants      Group Discussion time

Participants pay attention to the lectures           Participants brainstorm.

The Vice Chairman at the closing ceremony       Presentation of certificates to the participants.

Presentation of certificates to the participants at the end of the workshop.

To achieve this, the council organised a two day seminar on ‘Effective Communication in a Modern Society’ for the sectional heads in the council. The seminar which took place at the AHI House, 19, Lawal Street Jibowu between 3^rd – 4^th May 201 was declared open by the Executive Chairman, Hon AbdulRaheem Olajide Jimoh.

In his speech, the Chairman said that communication played an important role in the development of mutual and cordial relationships within an organisation.  For any organisation to be functional and efficient in its day to day activities there needed to be effective communication. He stressed that everything within his power would be done to see that council staffs were trained in the rudiments and skills of effective communication that would enhance their efficiency on their job.

He enjoined the participants to compose themselves, be attentive and ensure that they acquired the necessary knowledge. A minute silence was observed in remembrance of Comrade Sheriff Ayinde, Yaba LCDA Nulge Chairman who the Chairman said was instrumental to the seminar.

Resource personnel at the two day seminar were Mr Peter Jide Jimoh of Lagos State University, Mass Communication Dept, Mr Abdul Mohammed Aliu, former Editor, Concord Press and Managing Director, Magnate Communications Limited and Otunba Muyiwa Ogunlaja, Director (finance and administration), Governor’s office..

Papers were presented on Basic Concepts, Principles and Techniques of Communication in a Democratic Governance, The principle of Public Relations in the development of Local governments in Nigeria and Code of Ethics in the Public Service. The seminar ended with a communiqué to the Management and certificates were awarded to the participants.

Hon Jide Jimoh and  Mr Peter Jide Jimoh of Mass Communication Dept LASU at the workshop

Cross section of particioants at the occasion

Mrs Bamisaye                                                Hon. Linda John amd Hon. Jide Jimoh at the workshop

Hon Jide Jimoh at the workshop                Mr Bamisaye Oni, Hon. Linda John, Hon Jide Jimoh, Mr Peter Jide Jimoh and Mr Mohammed Aliu

Prayer said by Mr Bamisaye Oni                     one of the Participants during interactive time.

Hon Jide Jimoh declaring the workshop open      participants at the workshop

Participants listening to the resource personnel       Mr Peter Jide Jimoh delivering his Paper

Participants at the workshop

Discussion time                                            Alhaja S. Hassan PRO (Min of Information) Alausa and     Mr Debo Omilani, Media Assistant to the Chairman

The Vice Chairman, Chairman & resource personnel    Vice Chairman, Yaba LCDA.

Mr Sanyaolu Information officer (Yaba LCDA)                 Presentation of certificate to one of the participants

The chairman who was also in company of the leader of the council, Hon Bola Linda John and other councillors was not happy at the disgusting nature of the entry point of Alara street by commercial Avenue as  huge of refuse, abandoned vehicles and shanties were at  both sides of the road.

The chairman ordered the immediate removal of all the abandoned vehicles and instructed the Yaba LCDA Environmental Corps to ensure that nobody sells on the road side again as from Monday. He also warned that vehicles should be packed on one lane and not indiscriminately as he observed on the road.

The chairman also frowned at the illegal structures erected on the culvert along Lancaster Street and ordered that they be pulled down as they constitute environmental nuisance in the Street. The blocked drainage in front of Queens College was cleared to allow for free flow of water as we approach rainy period.

Some arrests were made of people that turned abandoned vehicles their place of abode and those that moved around during the exercise. The Permanent Secretary in one of the Ministries in Alausa, Engr. Tayo Bamgbose Martins was also around with the Chairman.

Huge of refuse at both sides of Alara Street.

Some illegal structures on both sides of the road ordered to be removed.

Removal notice pasted on the container               Men at work at Alara Street

Yaba LCDA Street Sweepers cleared the blocked drainage infront of Queen’s College.

One of the abandoned vehicles.           Street Sweepers at work during the sanitation exercise

Alara Street entry point from Sabo after the sanitation exercise

Engr. Tayo Martins and Hon Jide Jimoh during the sanitation exercise.

Comrade Olowe, as he was known among his colleagues, lost his life in a ghastly motor accident that occurred on Saturday 28^th of April, 2012 at Ogere along Ibadan express road.

Olowe became the Chairman during the last election of National Union of Local Government Employees in October, 2011 and since then he has been championing the cause of the staff with the management. He will be remembered for his prowess in lading his statements with a lot of proverbs.

His remains has since been buried according to the Muslim rites. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Com Olowe during the victory party                 Olowe during NULGE election campaign

Com. Olowe & his supporters during campaign    Alhaj Ojikutu, Hon Jide Jimoh & Com. Olowe during their visit to the Chairman.

The Chairman urged them to see the gesture as the contribution of the present administration towards adding value to their lives.

Hon. AbdulRaheem Olajide Jimoh delivering his speech at the occasion

Thousand crates of eggs to be distributed

Beneficiaries drawn from various wards at the occasion

Beneficiaries received 10 crates of eggs each from the Chairman

An aged woman received her own 10 crates of eggs fron the Chairman

Hon. Bola Linda John (Leader) and Hon. Doyin Rojaye (SLG) distributed eggs to the beneficiaries

Supervisor for Women Affairs & Pov. Alleviation and A.C.N LGA Chairman for Yaba LCDA distributed 10 crates of eggs to the beneficiaries.

The C. D. C. Chairman, Yaba LCDA and A. C. N Women leader, Yaba LCDA distributed 10 crates of eggs each to beneficiaries.