Ogun First Lady laments high number of Out of School Children in Nigeria as Bbridge House College, Ikoyi marks 20th Anniversary

The First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun has said that record of over 10 million children out of school in the country shows the level of challenges in the education sector.

She also expressed worry that for those in school, less than half of them receives quality education.

The Ogun first lady stated these at 20th Anniversary of the Bridge House College, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Mrs Abiodun was also not pleased that cultism and drug abuse now poses major challenge to the sector in the country.

She therefore charged the school to uphold moral instruction for proper upbringing of the students and position them for journey into the larger world.

According to her, the no child left behind coined about 20 years ago is a good mantra for a wholistic approach in ensuring that every student has access to quality education and conducive learning environment.

Mrs Bamidele Abiodun disclosed that she was impressed with how far the College has come with very high standard maintained over the years.

The Ogun state first lady was of the view that Artificial Intelligence taken to another level in the school has the capacity to bridge the gap between urban and rural education.

She said that she looks forward to a day when a student in Shagamu area of the state can be taught in China through Artificial intelligence.

Bamidele Abiodun expressed delight for being part of the 20th Anniversary of the Bridge House College, Ikoyi.

While sharing a bit of history with the College, the Ogun state first lady declared that her late son was brought back to the country to study there adding no parent has regretted doing so.

On his part, the Chairman of the event and Heirs Holdings, Mr Tony Elumelu commended the founder of the school Mrs Foluke Abdulrasaq for modelling a better future for the nation.

He urged the graduating students to see hard work, tenacity and discipline as a watchword to excellence and speedy growth in life.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Basic Education, Jimoh Alli-Balogun told the graduands that there is no short cut to success while describing them as the nation’s future leaders.

He also said that the state government appreciates the contribution of the College to the growth of education sector in the state.

Given words of advose to the graduands, Mr Kola Karim, said that the college had engaged in twenty years of building future leaders of the country.

Kola Karim who is the GMD/CEO of Shoreline Energy International Lagos noted that the theme of the 20th anniversary ‘Artificial Intelligence and Education: Opportunities and Challenges’ was very apt as technology dictates a better future for all of us.

He charged the students to form a good character and ability to stand tall wherever they found themselves.

According to him, they need to work harder to compete favourably among their peers assuring that if they put in their best they will achieve desired results.

Speaking earlier, the College Ambassador, Ezeaju Cherilyn urged her colleagues to pay attention to details and work harder to achieve what they intend in life.

She said that she was delighted that they represents amazing school and as they set for University, they should become an Ambassador of the college.

While appreciating the audience, the Executive Director of the Bridge House College, Ikoyi, Mrs Foluke Abdulrasaq thanked the parents and guardians of the students for believing in her dreams.

She promised to sustain the standard and discipline that the school is known for.

116 students graduated in the 2024 academic session from the Bridge House College, Ikoyi, Lagos with Oluwafolajimi Oludolapo Osibo emerging the overall best student.