Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday said his administration would ensure that Lagos State remained the reference point for impactful, inclusive and innovative education.
Sanwo-Olu said this at the 2021 Annual Governor’s Lecture of the Lagos State University (LASU) Alumni Association, held at the institution’s main campus in Ojo.
The theme of the annual lecture is: ”Educational Leadership And Technology As Viable Options For Economic Recovery And Nationhood: The Experience Of Lagos State”.
He said that the state government recognised the transformational gains of integrating quality education with innovative technological solutions for economic recovery.
Sanwo-Olu said that education and technology would continue to occupy prime positions in his government.
The governor said his administration was committing substantial resources to the provision of quality education that was needed to actualise economic recovery in a digitised world.
He said that the government was closing the digital divide by collaborating with the private sector to deploy metropolitan fibre optics across the state.
According to him, his administration has implemented 3,000km of metro fibre connection.
”There must be intentional efforts by all stakeholders to promote equitable and quality education, so that the products of our schools are equipped with the critical skills needed to proffer lasting solutions to our socio-economic problems.
”The indubitable fact is that technology now has a significant impact on the business and economic environment and we must as a matter of urgency accelerate the adoption of new technologies for sustainable development and economic stability,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He said that knowledge expansion was a crucial component of the 21st century academic system.
The governor therefore, tasked educators and educational leaders to harness the power of technology to produce skilled graduates, who would be able to drive long-term economic recovery.
”In Lagos State, we have been able to achieve some of our educational goals through a systematic blend of our curriculum with technology and the selfless efforts of our educators.
”We now operate an improved educational system with enhanced institutional capacity for digital learning,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu commended the LASU Alumni for remaining passionate about the continued growth and development of the institution.
He lauded them for being worthy ambassadors of the school and remaining loyal to LASU long after they passed through the school.
”All over the world, alumni associations have become strategic players in educational and governmental issues.
”I am proud of your association’s commitment to ensuring that LASU becomes one of the best universities in the world.
“I assure you that this is my administration’s goal too and we will continue to create the enabling environment for LASU to thrive,” he said. (NAN)