The Senator representing Ogun Central, Shuaib Salisu, has lamented the dwindling enrolment of school pupils in the state.
The Senator has therefore called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders including traditional rulers, parents, community leaders, government officials, and advocacy groups among others to tackle the situation.
Shuaib, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security expressed his dissatisfaction on Monday at a two-day capacity building workshop and empowerment of Ogun traditional rulers with the theme “Role in Ensuring Improved Enrolment of Students in Secondary Education”, held at the Ake Palace, Abeokuta.
The workshop, was organised by Shuaib, in conjunction with the National Secondary School Commission and development partners.
The senator described education as the “most sustainable form of empowerment,” warning that the region faces a serious future threat, if current trends are not reversed.
He expressed displeasure on the decreasing enrolment of students in secondary education level in Ogun Central, saying that he organised the sensitisation workshop to rally the support of the royal fathers on the matter.
The lawmaker said, “Our royal fathers are closer to the people than any institution of government and if their influence is properly harnessed, it can drive the change we need.”
He added, “The preeminent position of Ogun Central Senatorial District, with the first Chief Justice of Nigeria, the first lawyer, was premised on education.
But if you look at it critically now, you will notice that the quest for education is wanning.
“The enrolment trend is going down. In 10 years, 20 years time, are we going to be able to say as Ogun State or as Ogun Central that we are still in preeminent position as we used to be?
“I therefore want to address the problem from the root. First, by imploring our traditional rulers to serve as education advancement champions.”
In his remarks, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, acknowledged that education is the genuine tool of development, saying that they should be role model in building characters of young ones.
He commended Salisu for organising the workshop and for realising the important roles that they can play in order to ensure that more children are enrolled in schools.
On his part, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, said education remains the cornerstone of sustainable development, stressing that it is the most powerful weapon use to fight poverty, ignorance, and inequality.
He noted that “despite the efforts of government and other stakeholders, we continue to face serious challenges in enrolment, retention, and learning outcomes, especially in some rural and disadvantaged communities.”
