…as Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat’s second-term inauguration kicks off
Students in parts of Lagos State have appealed to the state government to include Robotics Science into their school curriculum to further develop the technology set skills of the younger population.
The students made the appeal on Sunday during a youth carnival and Robotic competition organised by the Lagos State government as part of activities leading up to the inauguration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, for a second term in office.
The youth carnival and Robotic competition were held simultaneously across the five divisions of Lagos State – Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Epe – where Governor Sanwo-Olu was represented by top government officials.
At the Ikorodu event, which took place at Ikorodu Town Hall Premises, the students expressed confidence that investment in the Robotics ecosystem will build the science and technology space of Lagos State and Nigeria.
A representative of CMS Girls’ Senior Grammar School, Ikorodu, Miss Joe Halimat, said it has become imperative for government to give priority to Robotic studies in schools as they do to sports and entertainment.
Halimat, whose school came second in the Robotic competition, explained that building a robot for traffic management has taught her perseverance and tolerance which has changed her way of life.
The Head of Department, Co-curriculum for Science and Technology, Education District II, Mrs. Amaka Oto, advised students to brace up for technological advancement and acquire more knowledge in line with the THEMES agenda of the Sanwo-Olu administration.
Speaking at the event in Ikeja, Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, who represented Governor Sanwo-Olu, said the Robotic competition among students was part of the feats achieved in education during the governor’s first term in office and that Lagosians should expect more when the second term takes off on May 29.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Somolu Local Government Area, Hon. Abdulhamid Salawu, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for empowering the youths.
“We can all see what Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu did during his first term, which is about to end and we are preparing for the inauguration of another term. The youths are happy with Governor Sanwo-Olu because they felt his impact during his first term and we believe he is going to do more for youths in his second term,” he said.
The council boss also urged youths in Lagos State to be focused on achieving their goals.
Some of the students who took part in the Robotic competition at JJT Park, Ikeja said they used their robots to showcase emergency response services on hospital incidents and traffic-related issues.
At the event at Muri Okunola Park, Lagos Island, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Office, Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyegbola, said the event was to thank the youths for their support during the last gubernatorial poll and for them to embrace Artificial Intelligence for development which they did through the Robotic display.
He advised the youths to shun violence and drug abuse and do things that would ensure the rising of Greater Lagos.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Iru/Victoria Island Local Council Development Area, Princess Rashidat Adu, said Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration had so far embarked on inclusive governance especially on youth-related issues, which had led to his re-election with his deputy, Dr. Hamzat.
She said a lot of talents had been displayed at the Robotic competition and assured the youth that more programmes that would be of benefit to them would be embarked upon by the administration.
