Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye -Honours Rep. Benson, Forum Chairman, Others The Ikorodu Division of the Lagos State Parents’ Forum has given its account of stewardship with affirmation that it has delivered on its mandate years after its existence, and pledged to continue supporting the government in ensuring conducive academic environment for teachers and students. Comrade Jenrade Mokolade Abdulwasiu, Chairman, Lagos State Parents Forum, Ikorodu Division, gave the verdict during the sixth edition of the forum’s seminar themed: “Empowering Partnerships for Academic Excellence”. At the seminar held at the Government College, Owutu, Ikorodu, on Thursday, 16th April, 2026, award of honour was bestowed on Rep. Babajimi Adegoke Benson, the representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the educational growth, selfless service to the association and dedication to improving lives in Ikorodu Federal Constituency. While Comrade Jenrade Mokolade, the forum chairman was also awarded for his outstanding contributions to the forum and educational development in Ikorodu Division, five late leaders of the forum, including Pa. M. A Ogunleye and Mr Raji Olusola among others, were honoured posthumously for their selfless services to the association. 15 zonal heads of the forum among whom are Aderogba Omolade Adijat, Isreal Bamidele, Ogunbowale Abisola, Awolesi Lateefat Omoladun, Abraham Oluwaseyi, Qudari Tawio Rasheed , Alakija Rasheedat Ayinke, Ayodele Gbemisola Funke, Afanu Oluwatoyin Kuburat and Shittu Sulaimon Olajide, were also honoured. The forum’s chairman, Comrade Jenrade, speaking at the event, thanked His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, the Centre of Excellence, for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to education since assumption of office, stating that the governor has, through the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, been addressing his T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda, and the yearnings and aspirations of Lagosians in the education sector. “A clear testimony of this “talk and do” administration is the recent massive construction and rehabilitation of 36 public schools within Ajeromi-Ifelodun LCDA, and the commissioning of the world-class Maracana Stadium at Agegeunle by the President of the Senate. These are true dividends of democracy delivered to the masses through strategic investment in our children’s future”, he said. While recalling that President Bola Tinubu encouraged the creation of the parents’ forum in the state during his tenure as the governor in Lagos State, Comrade Jenrade said that the body has continued to support the government in the area of educational development. “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the Lagos State Parents Forum was the visionary creation of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State in 1999. He graciously gave parents a platform to serve as complementary stakeholders in the educational success of our beloved children. “And without mincing words, we have lived up to that mandate. In line with the Government Circular of July 1999, we have continued to complement government’s efforts through: Voluntary support for school infrastructure; Organising seminars to educate parents and students, and Promoting policies that enhance teaching and learning. “I am glad to announce that this is the sixth seminar organised by our Division, following the last one held in 2016. Within these years, we have remained consistent in bridging the gap between home and school for the benefit of our children. He added: “Across Ikorodu Division and Lagos State at large, there are numerous projects executed by the Parents Forum in public primary and secondary schools – all funded through voluntary donations by members. We understand that government cannot do it alone. This is the true spirit of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in action. “We have documentary evidence of these interventions, and we remain committed because, as stipulated by the State Government, education in Lagos State is free. Our contributions are not levies, but love offerings for the future of our children”. Comrade Jenrade further stated that the seminar is part of the forum’s ways of enhancing the partnership with the government. “This seminar is, therefore, timely and strategic to the educational growth of Lagos State. When effective partnership exists between parents as the first stakeholders, teachers as the nation builders, and government as the policy driver, the actualisation of academic excellence for our children becomes inevitable. “This is how we fully utilise the dividends of democracy – when every child, irrespective of background, can access quality education and compete globally”. He urged members of the forum to get their PVCs to use in the forthcoming elections to support the government in power in order to “sustain free education, school rehabilitation, and all the developmental strides our children are currently enjoying. Let us protect these dividends of democracy with our votes”. Chairman Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB), Dr. Akeem Babatunde Shittu, commending the parents ’ forum for the initiative, emphasised that it shows the cordial relationship between the government and the parents’ forum and other stakeholders. While stating that the government has done a lot and still has a lot to do to uplift education in the state, he also urged parents to always be positive while engaging their children and imparting discipline and good character in them. Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, in his royal remarks, commended the parents’ forum for its interventions and partnership with the government, to ensure adequate infrastructures in schools. The royal father urged parents on the need to ensure that proper discipline and attitudes are instilled in their children from home, while also emphasizing the need for parents not to push or encourage their children to get rich quickly. While stating that the seminar provided ample opportunity for parents and other stakeholders to discuss state of schools, Oba Kasali also urged parents to guide their children on how to handle infrastructures in schools. In the main paper delivered by Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu- Adegbite, Permanent Secretary (PS) , Ministry of Basic and Secondary School Education, on “Effective Partnership: Parents Forum, Teachers and School Managers in Lagos State Public Primary and Secondary Schools”, she emphasised the need for major stakeholders to work together for the development of education. “Strengthening this tripartite partnership ensures that education becomes a shared responsibility rather than a single-actor effort. When parents, teachers, and government work in synergy, the education system becomes more responsive, effective, and impactful”. She said that effective collaboration among these stakeholders leads to: improved student learning outcomes; better discipline and character development; enhanced school accountability and transparency and stronger community involvement in education. The PS also stated that an enhanced parental engagement will lead to increased participation in school activities and decision-making and improved communication between home and school, while effective teaching and learning delivery leads to more motivated and supported teachers; improved classroom management and instructional quality and continuous professional development and capacity building. ”In addition, improved government presence will bring about transparent decision-making processes in schools; better monitoring and evaluation of school performance and stronger feedback mechanisms between stakeholders”. Conclusively, Mrs Abisola charged that , “All stakeholders; parents, teachers, school managers/Government, must reaffirm their dedication to working collaboratively for the benefit of learners. Education is a collective duty; every stakeholder has a role to play in ensuring students’ success, discipline, and well-being. “Align efforts with Government policies and initiatives to achieve improved learning outcomes and sustainable development in the education sector”. Dr Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, in his paper on “Parental Engagement – A Key Driver of Children’s Academic Achievement”, emphasised that there is no meaningful education without parental involvement. He charged that parents must always be present and proactive; teachers to be engaging and communicate, while schools should support and collaborate. “When parents, teachers, and school managers work together, every child has a greater chance to succeed”. Otunba Fatai Olukoga, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, chaired the event which also had the presence of Fadhilat Imam Sheikh Yahaya Olorunosebi Oshoala As-Samadaani (Ajagbemokeferi), the Chief Imam of Oriwu Central Mosque and retired school principal, Prince Adedayo Ladega, Chairman, Ikorodu LG and Mr Babatunde Afuwape, a community leader in Igbogbo among others.
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