Educationists Harp On Synergy For Education Transformation In Nigeria

The President, Reconnect Community Group, Prof. Azeez Buttal has stated that public-private-partnership (PPP) would turn around the fortunes of the education sector in the country.

The renowned educationist spoke at the first edition of the Reconnect Essay Award Competition for primary schools in the Coker Aguda Local Development Area and Surulere Local Government Area in Lagos.

Speaking at the event, President, Reconnect Community Group, Prof. Azeez Buttal addressed the need to encourage the young ones to help shape their educational development and support the schools in both council areas.

He said, “We thought about the essay competition as a way of giving back to these pupils, as we know change and development should not be left to the government but partnership with individuals and private bodies to intervene where development is lagging”

Buttal said the reconnect initiative comprises old students of Enitan, Ayetoro, Imam Shuaib, Atara, Umoru Memorial, and Animashaun Primary schools in the Coker Aguda, Surulere area of Lagos who came together socially and then transitioned to a community-based organization to give back to these schools, as well as helping as members of the organization.

“We are giving back in terms of health insurance and doing awareness as well, to the common man who is not aware of the health scheme provided by the government in this locality,” he stated.

In his remarks, the Education Secretary, Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos, Mr. Tunde Awoyelu affirmed government’s continuous support for private partnerships as he lauded Reconnect Community group, a non-profit organization for renovating schools, providing teaching aids and educational materials to pupils of the local council area and Coker Aguda local council development area.

Educational materials to enhance teaching were presented to each school, with gifts and cash prizes given to the winners and runners-up at different levels, to further enhance the learning of the pupils.