Speeches

2008 First Bank Annual Undergraduate Essay Competition And Secondary School Quiz Competition Awards Ceremony

Nov 20, 2008 - Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I believe that one of the ways to invest in human capital development is to focus on upcoming generation by providing opportunities, motivating and equipping them for the challenges of becoming useful to themselves and the society. I am therefore very delighted to celebrate the vision and courage of a leading giant in our financial industry in this noble venture.

Let me congratulate the management and entire staff of First Bank Nigeria, Plc, on this award ceremony, organized to formally present prizes and awards to winners in the 2008 edition of its annual undergraduate essay and secondary schools quiz competitions. By this achievement, the Bank has not only affirmed its position as one of the leading brands in the banking sub-sector, but also as an organization whose commitments to its corporate social responsibility especially in the education sector, has remained outstanding. By this initiative, you have contributed to the enhancement of learning and the development of education in the country.

As a government, whose major priority has been to enhance the quality of human capital development through qualitative education, we are indeed proud to be associated with this bold initiative.

Education is vital and crucial to human and social development in any society. Its impact in human resource development cannot be over emphasized. Our commitment to the growth and development of this sector is informed by our determination to ensure growth and fastrack development in critical sectors of the economy. This is because we believe that when we invest in education, we are developing human capital that will develop and grow the economy.

Our policy thrust in this sector has been guided by our commitment to improve upon the quality of learning and infrastructure in our public schools. The recent distribution of free textbooks to pupils and students in our public primary and post primary schools in the State is part of our administration’s policy to enhance learning and uplift the quality and standard of education.

While commending your efforts and commitments at fostering growth in the education sector through this programme, I also wish to congratulate the outstanding students whose academic brilliance and efforts are being rewarded here today. By emerging tops in various categories, you have not only done your school proud, but have also brought joy to your families. While commending your outstanding feat at this competition, It is my hope that this will spur you further to greater achievements in future.

Once again, I congratulate the Management and entire staff of First Bank Nigeria, Plc, on this special occasion, and urge other corporate organizations to emulate the initiatives of First Bank, by contributing meaningfully to the enhancement of the education sector in our country.

Thank you all and God Bless.

Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)
Governor, Lagos State