By Ayooluwa Ayobami
A Community Development Service (CDS) group of the Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State National Youth Service Corp have encouraged school children to value education as it is of great importance.
The Servicom and Gender CDS Group had on Monday, May 20, 2024 organised a children’s day-themed quiz competition among five schools under Education District VI, Lagos State. The event which took place at Ilupeju Secondary School Hall had in attendance, Ilupeju Junior Secondary School, Ilupeju Junior Grammar School, Oshodi Comprehensive Junior High School, Oduduwa Junior Secondary School and Estate Junior Grammar School.
Speaking at the event which was sponsored by Nestle, Wey Practice and Red Square Network Limited, the CDS group president, Uchenna Emelife, told the children that the Servicom and Gender CDS group are concerned and passionate in promoting service delivery, gender equality, education as well as projects that promotes issues that concern young people.
“We observe that we are in a generation where people are losing interest in the things that matter, education for instance has become sidelined, seen as a second option no longer a first option as it is,” he said.
Uchenna, continued by telling the children that the competition organized by the Servicom and Gender CDS group is to celebrate children’s Day and as well as to emphasise the importance of education.
He said, “Education is at a state of emergency, and if concerned citizens do not step up, our future is endangered. That’s why we have taken it upon ourselves as a CDS group to maximise the platform of the NYSC in championing educational projects like this.”
The NYSC Mushin Local Government Inspector, Mrs Funmilayo Lasaki, in her speech stressed the need for school children to take their education seriously and avoid bad company.
She said, “It is a privilege that you are here. I want you all to take your education seriously. I congratulate you because you are here. I congratulate you because you are in school and I want to beg you all to please don’t join bad gangs.
“Make sure you are focused on your education that is the only way you can encourage your parents to do more for you, make sure you attend classes very well and don’t join cults.” She continued.”
Amongst those present at the events was the Somolu Zonal Inspector, Lagos State NYSC, Mrs Fayinto B. I, Representative of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Ayomidele.
After a keenly contested competition on Mathematics, English Language and General Knowledge, Estate Junior Grammar School emerged the Winner with a total of 70 points, while Ilupeju Junior Secondary School and Oduduwa Junior Secondary School came Second and Third place with 69 and 64 points respectively. Oshodi Comprehensive Junior High School and Ilupeju Junior Grammar School on the other hand, received consolation prizes for coming Fourth and Fifth respectively.