Politics
PRIORITIZE TEACHERS’ WELFARE, AMBODE TELLS NEW TESCOM BOARD MEMBERS
…Swears-In Perm Sec/Auditor General For Local Govt
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday inaugurated chairman and board members of the State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), with a charge on the appointees to give top considerations to teachers’ welfare and ensure employment of only well qualified professionals to teach in public secondary schools in the State.
Speaking at a twin event which also witnessed the swearing-in of Mrs. Adesumbo Abolarin as Permanent Secretary/Auditor General for Local Government, held at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, Governor Ambode said it was important for the public officers to justify their appointment by working ultimately in the interest of the people.
He said the passage and signing of the Teaching Service Commission Bill was a great moment for the education family in the State coming after eight years of several attempts, adding that the development became imperative as a result of the unrelenting efforts of the State Government to strengthen the education sector.
“With the knowledge that education plays a very vital role in the development of our society and that a society cannot thrive above the level of its educational attainment, the passage and signing of this Law was very essential.
“Today, in fulfillment of the provision of that law, we have just witnessed the inauguration of the Board whose responsibility will be to ensure that the objectives of the law are achieved.
“For avoidance of doubts, let me state that one of the major aims of this law, which shall be a key responsibility of this Board, is to ensure improvement in the welfare of our teachers and also ensure that well qualified teachers are recruited into our public secondary schools,” Governor Ambode said.
He said it was particularly instructive that seasoned educationists and administrators had been carefully selected based on their track records for appointment into the TESCOM board, expressing optimism that the State would witness rapid improvement in the education sector, particularly at the secondary level.
“You will agree with me that if we are to achieve the kind standard we desire in our educational system and also lay a good foundation for the future development of our State in terms of quality manpower, we must give adequate attention to maintaining highly motivated and effective teaching personnel.
“I, therefore, charge the Chairman and members of this Board to study very carefully the provisions of the law in order to fully understand their role and responsibilities expected of them. I also enjoin you all, to ensure that due process is followed in all matters that would be brought to your attention and for your decision.
“You should be unbiased in the discharge of your responsibilities as a board. We have done a lot in the provision of educational infrastructure in our public schools; all of these infrastructural facilities will amount to a waste if not complemented with dedicated, well-motivated and committed teachers,” Governor Ambode admonished the appointees.
The Governor also appealed to teachers to cooperate with the Board to further ensure fair play in the discharge of their responsibilities.
While the Chairman of the Board is Mrs Olabisi Ariyo, others members are Mr. Jacob Ashaka, Mrs Sidikat Smith, Mr Adeleke Oluseun Kara and Mrs Adijat Kuburat Hassan.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, Ariyo thanked Governor Ambode for the confidence reposed in them, and assured that the board would work hard, be unbiased and prioritize the welfare of teachers, as well as train and retrain them for optimal performance.
Breaking: Speaker Obasa Debunks Allegation Of Spending N17b On Assembly Gate
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, on Thursday described the allegation that the House spent N17 billion on the fixing of a gate as spurious and funny.
A self-proclaimed group, Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, had accused the Assembly of spending the amount to construct a gate. The group also sought investigation of the claim.
Speaking at plenary, Dr. Obasa said the allegation stemmed from the fear of some people over 2027 which is still more than two years away.
Obasa further debunked the claim that the House spent N200 million on its recently organised 22nd thanksgiving service for staff.
“It is so funny. How much is the allocation of the Assembly in the whole year that we will decide to spend N17 billion on a gate? They even claimed that we expended 200 million on thanksgiving that did not hold.
“We are aware that at a period like this when we are approaching elections in 2027, we should expect such things. I think some people are scared and I don’t know why.
“This House did not and has not embarked on any such project. We are not that reckless. We had our thanksgiving last Friday and dignitaries from various parts of the State attended it,” the Speaker said.
Addressing further claims by the group about the alleged relationship between him and the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, the Speaker denied attending the latter’s screening and confirmation by the National Assembly.
“They said that I was at the National Assembly when they were confirming the EFCC chairman. I want to believe that there are CCTV cameras at the National Assembly to identify those who attended the event. The press must have written about it too. So the group should do more to confirm if I was there.
“This is just to deny the allegations in the interest of the public and not the writers because the writers are not those we should be joining words with,” the Speaker said.
Earlier, the House, through its spokesperson, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, had addressed the allegations noting that the Assembly bases its activities on integrity, transparency and accountability.
“It is ludicrous the claim about constituency intervention funds and constituency project funds and their handling by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko as claimed by the group.
“One would have expected a self-acclaimed anti-corruption crusading group to do its groundwork before jumping across the fence with conviction that it hit a jackpot to malign an institution of repute in the name of politics.
“Simply put, the Lagos State House of Assembly does not have any such funds. The Assembly does not embark on constituency projects. Instead, once every year, the House holds stakeholders’ meetings simultaneously across the state where constituents have the opportunity to tell the lawmakers their expectations and make requests for the betterment of the state.
“These requests and expectations are compiled and sent to the executive arm of government for consideration as inputs in subsequent budgets. If this is what the group takes as constituency intervention or project funds, we are sure this explanation has given the required education, moreover, it is common knowledge that it is the responsibility of the Executive arm to execute such projects,” the earlier statement by Ogundipe read.
Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
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