Lagos showcases achievements of past leaders through folklores for pupils

The Lagos state government has begun the fulfillment of its promise to preserve cultural and historical sites across the state with the staging of Echoes from Tinubu Square project where pupils of the state public primary schools were entertained with folklores and cultural display.

In his welcome address at the event inside Madam Tinubu Square Fountain, Lagos Island, Special Adviser to the governor on Central Business Districts, Agboola Dabiri jaid Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is desirous of using public education to touch and redirect the minds of young children towards becoming agents of positive change in the society and inauguration of the project by the Central Business Districts is a step in that direction.

He enjoined the pupils to be good listeners as information gathered on the prowess of heroes and heroines of yesteryears in the state will enhance their studies for good, adding that the event which will be on monthly basis will be rotated among pupils of the state primary schools as well as students of higher institutions.

According to the Special Adviser, “maintenance of historical monuments should equally be the concern of Lagosians whenever they visit on leisure and recreation,” saying that the renovation of the Tinubu Square Fountain is a pointer to the judicious use of tax payers’ money by government in the state.

He advised that “Lagosians should cultivate the habit of keeping the historical monument tidy and neat whenever they visit for leisure and recreation, as that will go a long way in assisting the government in its quest of better preservation and maintenance of all historical sites in the state.”

In the story telling session at the event which witnessed the presence of members of Lagos State Traditional Whitecap Chiefs, captains of industries and notable Lagosians who have contributed meaningfully to the growth and development of the state, Mr. Shina Thorpe took the pupils from St Mary Girls Catholic School, Olowogbowo Methodist and Holy Cross Primary Schools through informative and educative rendition of Madam Tinubu’s prowess and meaningful contributions that blazed the trail to the modern day Lagos State, which is now 50 years old.

Managing Director, Suntory Beverage and Foods Nigeria Limited, Mr. Chinedum Okereke who spoke on the topic “Good Values and Impact on the choices we make”, lauded the state government for the programme “particularly now that the psyche of young people in Nigeria need resurgence to drive home the quest for unity, growth and development,” saying that the renovation of the edifice cited in Lagos Island, the heart of Africa’s fastest growing mega city attest to the enormous recognition by government of the contributions of the legendary woman who stood tall in her days despite huge challenges.

Speaking in the same vein, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Ganiu Sopein, advised the young minds to aspire for greatness in life through hard work, dedication to studies, self-discipline and willingness to be useful to parents, the state and country in general.

In her commendation to the state government on the folklore initiation, representative of the Director General of the Nigeria Stock Exchange, Ms Pai Gamde sought for the sustenance of the project as it has a lot to offer the youth so that necessary leadership qualities can be better imparted at an early stage.