Ibidapo-Obe, Okorocha, Covenant University, others get LCCI education award

Former vice chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe has won the 2017 VC of the year award at a programme organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

The event was tagged: ‘Excellence in Education Award’

In his address, President, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS), Lagos State branch, Olatunde Isaac, tasked the government and stakeholders on inclusion of entrepreneurship education in secondary school curriculum to tackle unemployment.

Isaac, who spoke on ‘Creativity as a driver for entrepreneurship,’ said the growth of a nation depends on collective development of its citizens and entrepreneurial activities.

He noted that survival of the economy rests on the creativity and innovations of the entrepreneur, hence the need to inculcate the skills early into school children to revolutionize the nation’s economy.

“Recession is no longer an economic terminology to Nigerians but has become a phrase being used by all, including market men and women, transporters and others as reasons to justify prizes of goods and services.

“All the tiers of government have continued to hinge their inability to effectively implement their annual budget on this monster called recession which in the past has been given phrases such as operation low profile, Structural Adjusted Program (SAP) and austerity measure among others.

“We quite agree there is recession which is not peculiar only to Nigeria but a global phenomenon. The economy of a country depends solely on entrepreneurship, both small and large scale.”

On her part, President, LCCI Dr. Nike Akande, who was represented by her deputy, Ruwase Paul maintained that no nation can achieve meaningful development without investing in education.

Akande said: “One of the most sustainable ways to grow an economy is to invest in human capital development. Many leading economies of today have no natural resources endowment, but they have quality human capital. This underlines the fact that it is people that make things happen.”

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha received the most respected state committed to education award, Covenant University emerged the best private university, while Maple Education Canada Inc. bagged the most reliable international education support service provider 2017.

The oldest serving teacher of the year plaque went to Adeconde Abiola, Senior Manager, Maharus-Deen Primary School, Bariga, Lagos State.

John Akinpelu of Ilasan Senior Secondary School in Eti-Osa Local Government area of Lagos State emerged the oldest principal in service.