Lagos Explores Avenues To Boost Students’ Talents, Skills

The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to create avenues for students to exhibit their talents and skills that aid non-academic activities and will play crucial roles in learning and preparing the children for a better future.

Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, disclosed this at the Y2021 ‘Recite, Act and Excel’ programme, stating that the Ministry embarked on the initiative to encourage creativity and innovation amongst secondary schools students as well as improve their self-esteem and boost confidence.

Adefisayo, who was represented at the event by the Director, Special Duties and Innovation in the Ministry, Mr. Adeyemi Adebayo, stressed that students have various talent and skills outside academic work, therefore the Ministry periodically organises numerous programmes to discover these natural gifts, nurture and showcase them to the world.

She said: “Under the Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu-led administration, the education sector is experiencing various innovations, through huge investments, to ensure teaching and learning are improved”.

The Commissioner pointed out that the State Government has continued to encourage the development of hidden talents among the students, advising that they should not relent in maximising their latent skills for a productive future.

“The State Government will continue to ensure that all students are equipped with the essential knowledge needed to compete globally with their peers”, she asserted.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Abayomi Abolaji, stated that the essence of the programme is to discover the hidden abilities of the students.

Abayomi, represented by the Director, Education Resource Centre, Mrs. Omolayo Akinlade, emphasised the importance of arts, adding that learning is a lifelong process as the students get to understand various aspects of life on a daily basis.

Multitalented Award Winning Actor, Damola Olatunji, encouraged the students to be focused and shun all vices, just as he emphasised that success can only be achieved through hard work, commitment and self-determination.

The highpoint of the “Recite, Act and Excel” programme was the performance of the students in a play and poetry competition.

Representatives of outstanding schools were rewarded alongside other exceptional stakeholders who have contributed to the growth of the education sector in the State.