In celebration of World Teachers' Week, the Lagos State Government Education District VI hosted her 18th edition of the annual District Merit Awards with the theme, "Fostering A Growth Mindset for Greater Achievements" on Monday, 30th September 2024, at Eko Boys High School, Mushin. 


This is an annual event that is set aside to celebrate the teeming number of the district staff and students who have recorded great achievements in their various categories of endeavors.,
Also in recognition were individuals, organizations, and public office holders who have contributed to the development of education within the district over the years with an Evergreen Award. 


The host of the event, the Tutor General and Permanent Secretary of the district, Dr. Mrs Yusuf Shareefah Ajoke delivering her welcome speech said the 2023/2024 Merit Awards committee has been so careful in the selection of the best amongst the various categories of applicants who are awarded and every participant was given a level playing ground to prove his or herself to justify the award. 


She further said, "The ultimate aim of the award is to reward excellence and create a motivating platform for others to excel".


She appreciated the Lagos State Governor and Deputy Governor, Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu, and Dr. Kadri Hamzat for the approval of the event. 


The honourable Commissioner for Education, Hon. Jamiu Tolani Alli Balogun, the unique and impactful sponsors including the following Chairmen; Odiolowo Ojuwoye LCDA, Hon. Razaq Ajala, Mushin Local Government, Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye and Ojodu LCDA. Hon. David Segun Odunmbaku. 


Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) and the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI).
The Opesade Charity Foundation, Alhaja Silifat Tola Lawal, Pst. Tunde Bakare (Citadel Global Community Church) and the God's Covenant Church for all Nations.


Individuals, members of alumni of schools and non-governmental organizations who have continued to impact schools and intervene in the district areas of needs like the First Lady of Lagos State (Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-olu) and her team in COWLSO, Mrs. Ajayi C.D (a Missionary), Mr. Damilare Adebari, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, Living Seed Church, Omole, Ikeja Grammar school (1983 set alumni), Opebi Grammar School (1986 set alumni), Mafoluku Grammar school (1986 set alumni), Metropolitan College Isolo (1985 set alumni), Oshodi Comprehensive school (1994 set alumni), The Lagos Paddles Lions Club District 404B2, GSM Systems and Mrs. Olaleye Bola Mary (A Rtd. Principal from AUD Comprehensive Junior High School, Okota).


The NUT, ANCOPSS NASU, the Chairmen and President of the union, and associations co-exist as one with no issues for the progress of the District and Lagos State. 


She concluded, "Our appreciation is limitless."


Speaking with Mushines, she made it known that education should not be the business of the government alone; everybody has to come on board to take education to the next level, which is why individuals and NGOs who are contributing to the development of education are rewarded. 


Several awards categories were presented to the awardees, and among the dignitaries awarded was Hon. Razaq Ajala, the Executive Chairman of Odiolowo Ojuwoye LCDA, for his unrelenting support toward the development of education within his locality. 


An Evergreen Award was presented to Hon. Ajala, appreciating his excellent performance in developing education within his locality, particularly about the establishment of a new comprehensive secondary school for Odiolowo Ojuwoye LCDA at the Adeleye Primary School building. 


The Odiolowo Ojuwoye LCDA, Chairman, Hon. Razaq Ajala, speaking with Mushines, said the award translates to more work for him by continually providing excellent government services to the people of Odiolowo Ojuwoye LCDA and appreciated the work teachers are doing in moulding our future leaders in their academic journey. 


"The teachers in my community are doing great, most especially moulding our children to be globally competitive, and it can be attested to that both the primary and secondary school teachers are doing their work, which can be felt in the performance of the pupils and students. 


He advised parents not to make the teaching of their children the exclusive duty of teachers, that parents should be involved in the learning process of their children by checking their books to know their progress and teaching them more about their homework and assignments at home because the children spend most of their time with their parent at home than in school. 


"As teachers are doing their own, parents should complement it by checking the progress of their children through teaching and checking their books at home as the era of conventional parenting is gone, we have more online parenting now because most of our children are learning on the social media, so parent should be very conscious of how their children are making use of the mobile gadgets." He added. 


On the Evergreen Award, he said," Am happy that my contribution to education is felt and known which is for me to continue to run a more impactful governance that everyone on the economic ladder of the community will have a sense of belonging and importance to have a taste of the pie we have in the basket for the community." He concluded. 


The Olofin of Isheri and Adimula of Awori Kingdoms, Oba Engineer Sulaimon Adekunle Bamgbade, adding his voice to the wonderful work teachers are doing, said teachers are the bedrock of development in our modern society by grooming us to become what we become in the future and they are doing great," HRH said. 


He advised the awardees to continue to do their best as the reward for hard work is more work.


The guest speaker, Mr. Abiodun Bamigboye, Commissioner 2 of Lagos State Teaching Service Commission took the participants through the theme "Fostering A Growth Mindset for Greater Achievements".


He said the take home for every participant of the award ceremony is that as humans, we should embrace the fast-evolving world we live now by embracing actions, attitudes, knowledge, and practices that meet up with the changes happening in the world as we can't be static and believe in meeting up with the changes. 


Many of the awardees that were spoken with said the awards mean a lot to them and it is an indication that while you are doing your work dutifully, people are watching silently and when the time comes to reward, they will surely recommend you, so they are just doing their work diligently and they are rewarded and promised to continue to do their work diligently till pens down.