Senator Salisu organizes capacity building workshop for traditional rulers to address menace of out-of- school children

Bolaji Obabiyi(Intern)

The Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District of Ogun State at the national assembly, Senator Shuaib Salisu on Monday organised capacity building session for traditional rulers in the senatorial district.

Penpushing reports that the 2-Day capacity building scheduled for May 26 and 27 kicked started at Alake Palace Auditorium, Abeokuta, while the second edition is equally slated to hold on Tuesday at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto Abeokuta.

The Federal lawmaker speaking at the Monday programme with the theme: Roles in Ensuring Improved Enrolment of Students in Secondary School Education’, pointed out that the enrolment of students in school is worrisome, and appealed to traditional rulers to champion the campaign and use their strength as traditional rulers.

Penpushing further reports that Salisu who is Chairman of the House Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, lamented that the high rate of out-of-school children is alarming, however, reaffirmed his commitment to education.

The Egba born politician emphasized that education has remained his pathway to success in his political career, adding that he was optimistic that his tenure will be remembered as a Senator who has used his own life as a template of what education could truly mean in the lives of people

“So I am focused on our traditional rulers to champion this, to redirect our values. But as I do this as well, I am also aware that I need to do things that will meet the immediate needs of our people.

“But I am focused, I am hoping that my tenure will be remembered as that senator who has used his own life as a template of what education could truly mean in the lives of people. Therefore, I am doing this as part of a deliberate plan to empower my people through education.

‘This workshop is in the full glance of my commitment to empowerment through education. You will recollect that a few weeks ago, I called the principals, the teachers, and the students from Ogun Central Senatorial District when the WAEC, NECO, and JAMB examinations were approaching’.

‘And I gave them textbooks, gave them bags, gave them maths sets, gave them laptops to prepare them for the exam, including past questions. You will also recollect that every year, I sponsor a thousand candidates for JAMB. I paid for NECO fees, and I paid for WAEC registration fees. But I also realize that I need to carry the critical stakeholders in this quest to advance education in Ogun Central’, he stated.

Penpushing also reports that the guest lecturer at the ceremony Prof Olajumoke Familoni, in her paper blamed the high rate of out-of-school children on the financial incapability of parents and unnecessary competition.

The lecturer who is a member of the Egba Economic Summit on the topic ‘Resolving the Declining Education Standards in Egbaland: The role of traditional rulers in reviving the “Omoluabi culture”, pointed out that the era of Yahoo made most of the children not see value in education again.

Penpushing reports that she noted that many of the generation known as GenZ believed that education is a scam pointing out that 10.5 million children aged 5 to 14 were out of school, however, she recommended that traditional rulers should organize town hall meetings for parents and teachers.

The guest lecturer in the same vein, recommended that women should be encouraged to form a cooperative societiy to support children’s education through saving, forming a community soldier to ensure students and parents are accountable for out-of-school children, as well as developing community incubators for vocational skills.

Penpushing further reports that the President, Egba Economic Summit, Mr. Yinka Coker in his goodwill message commended Salisu for his concern on the educational growth of the youths, describing it as a symbolic and powerful expression of unity between the Egba heritage and future.

The President added that Egba Economic Summit is particularly pleased to associate with this important programme, which is being held in furtherance of Senator Salisu’s Educational Support Interventions.

‘The focus of this programme on the critical role of our traditional institutions is both timely and strategic. As custodians of our values and influencers of our communities, our royal fathers have a unique and powerful role to play in championing education. When our traditional rulers speak, the people listen. When they act, the people follow’, he said

Penpushing also reports that Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo while declaring open the workshop, declared that any traditional ruler who failed to embrace morality and shun social vice is doom for exile.

The first-class traditional ruler emphasized that traditional rulers are meant to champion good character and be role models to their subjects, and therefore, encouraged the monarchs on need to go back to their various domains in addressing the challenges of out of school children

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