First Bank on Thursday handed over 20,000 e-learning devices to the Lagos State Government as part of measures to boost e-learning in schools.
Speaking at the event, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu explained that technology/e-learning was a way to go in the education sector, adding that his administration was passionate about education and technology.
He said that a year ago, nobody thought COVID-19 would define the way people live, hence, the need to use technology to define the education system.
According to him, First Bank has helped to actualise the vision of the state government to use technology as the way to go.
“COVID-19 has made us to fast-track our vision, and we are at a level not just to talk; we need to actualise it and it is interesting that we have found a real partner in First Bank.
“Our Permanent Secretary, Tutor-General and students should ensure that this is not put to waste, because that is the most important thing.
“Technology cannot speak for itself, it is the use you put to it that matters; it is when you activate it and use it that you can give it in the real life.
“So, at the end of the day, it is the learning and the skills that are required of these things to come to reality.
“It will amount to waste if we don’t see the output and outcome in the number of distinctions that we see in our students; in the number of the quality of tomorrow that we want to begin to build for these students and in the number of ability to which they use technology as a strong enabler for their tomorrow,” he said.
The governor said that everyone had a role to play, and it was only when everybody worked well that a system that was enabling and sustainable could be built.
The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, said the donation of the e-learning devices was a major milestone in the journey to provide good quality online education for students.
Adefisayo said that the 20,000 devices were a step toward the provision of one million e-learning devices for students.
“We are extremely grateful; this is the picture we must ensure our children are part of in the global movement,” she said.
The Managing Director, First Bank, Dr Adesola Adeduntan, said the bank had always taken it upon itself to be part of where it operated.
Adeduntan said the bank was in business not just for profit, but for economic growth of the country and development of neighbourhood.
A representative of the students, Miss Sherifat Umar, a SS2 student of Elegbata Senior High School, Lagos Island, commended Sanwo-Olu’s efforts and administrative acumen in ensuring their future was structured.
Umar promised that the e-learning devices would be properly used, toward enhancing their education.
