Education, bedrock of everything in life – Gbajabiamila
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has called on young people to strive to acquire formal education, no matter their career choices.
Gbajabiamila made the call on Monday in Lagos, when he inaugurated a state-of the-art ICT centre facilitated by him at Igbobi College, Yaba, his alma mater.
The speaker, who addressed students of the school, said that though it is possible to succeed in life without going to school, success is better sustained with education.
“Education is the foundation of everything you do in life. If you are a footballer or a singer or any other person with a special talent, you still need an education.
“The fact is that those things you get, like money and fame, as a special talent are ephemeral.
“For example, by 30 or 40, you are no more very active as a footballer, so you have to fall back on what you have in your brain, which is education to move on in life.
“So, education is not just rewarding but very rewarding”, he said.
Gbajabiamila admitted that the nation’s education system was in need of an overhaul, positing that the task of revamping the sector was not for policy makers and leaders alone, but all stakeholders.
He said that an attitudinal change by teachers and students was key to improving the sector.
“The education system is poor in Nigeria. It is something I talk about anywhere I get the opportunity.
“Just some weeks ago, I gave a convocation lecture at the University of Lagos, and I addressed this issue.
“For some of us who are in the position to change things, we are working hard, working very hard to change the system.
“But we need everyone, all stakeholders, to change things. Also, teachers and students need to change their attitude to education to have a better sector”, he said.
The Speaker, nonetheless, urged the students to face their studies and make the best of their time in school to shape their future.
He described bad company, drugs and alcohol as killers of dreams, urging the students to shun them and other vices that could undermine their future.
Gbajabiamila said it was a proud moment for him to be back in the school after leaving decades ago to address current “Igbobians”.
He described his time as rewarding, saying many of the values and other positive things he had imbibed till today were shaped at the school.
The speaker said the school was very firm in the area of discipline but that he was never shamed or whipped on the assembly ground for trouble or bad behaviour.
Gbajabiamila said it was normal for young boys to play pranks and get into trouble once in a while but that hard work and focus are expected of students desirous of a great future.
He said he and other old students were proud of the name Igbobi College had made for itself and an array of distinguished people it had produced for the country.
While saying he was happy with the warm reception given him, he urged the students to carry on the great legacies of the college.
Gbajabiamila said he would continue to support the school as an old student and in his capacity as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Master Daniel Akintaju, head boy of the school, thanked the speaker, saying they had been inspired by the words he shared.
He also commended Gbajabiamila and other old students for always giving back to the school, saying their interventions had helped significantly.
The head boy promised that the students would live up to expectations as learners and products of “the great citadel of learning”.
It was reported that the speaker, apart from commissioning the ICT centre, inspected some facilities at the school, including the sick bay .
Reports state that Igbobi College Old Boys’ Association (ICOBA), lined up several activities to mark the 90th anniversary of the school, starting with a fundraiser held on Saturday.
It was founded by the Joint Anglican and Methodist misions on Feb. 2, 1932.
