Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos has restated the commitment of his administration to enhancing the educational sector, just as he assured that he would do everything possible to ensure the commencement of operation of the African Leadership University in Lagos in 2016.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Lagos House, Ikeja while receiving a delegation of the African Leadership Foundation led by Graça Machel, wife of former South African President, Nelson Mandela, vowed that he would support the foundation to ensure commencement of full operation of the university in Lagos next year.
The Governor said he was delighted to welcome Machel, who is the inaugural chancellor of the university to Lagos, adding that he would immediately engage with the leadership of the foundation to take the partnership to greater heights.
Stating that the key agenda of the foundation which is to offer help and share experiences in education, financial inclusion and enterprise development for women, was in tandem with the cardinal objectives of his administration, Governor Ambode disclosed that he had already set up an Employment Trust Fund, which will basically address such issues.
“This is more about financial inclusion, especially for women who have been left behind and have never had that voice that we have always wanted them to have.
“We also believe strongly that what the out-of school-children initiative is talking about is something that is very important to us and that is why I have also created an Employment Trust Fund here that will actually fit into everything you have offered.
“I’m committed to creating that enabling environment to allow this partnership blossom and to let you know that this is for real, we would engage immediately with your foundation to take this up to the next level immediately from next year and I give you that commitment also that we will create that enabling environment for the African Leadership University to commence operation in Lagos next year,” Governor Ambode said.
Earlier, Machel, who is also the founder of Graça Machel Foundation, explained that the main purpose of the visit was to offer experiences, which the foundation had acquired over the years in education, financial inclusion and enterprise development for women, and to identify and mobilise Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in helping with the initiative to massively reduce the number of children that are out of school.
She said the foundation specifically chose to partner with Lagos because the State had proven to be the driver of change.
Machel was accompanied on the visit by former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law, Gbenga Oyebode; Founder of African Leadership Group, Fred Swaniker; Chief Executive Officer of Graça Machel Foundation, Nomsa Daniels; and Chief Executive Officer of Murtala Mohammed Foundation, Aisha Oyebode.
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