Ekiti Government Promotes Civic Education to Prepare Students for Leadership
The Ekiti State Government has stressed the importance of civic education in preparing students for responsible leadership and active citizenship.
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Ekiti Government has stressed the importance of civic education in raising informed, responsible and democratic-minded future leaders.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr Olabimpe Aderiye, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to promoting civic awareness and democratic values among young people to raise responsible and informed future leaders.
The commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Bayode Ogunmola, spoke in Ado Ekiti during the 11th National Secondary School Quiz Competition on the Legislature and Democracy, organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies.
She hailed NILDS for sustaining the initiative, describing it as an important platform for deepening students’ understanding of democracy, governance and the legislature.
She added, “An informed and civically conscious young population is essential to sustaining peace, orderliness and good governance. The programme aligns with the state government’s commitment to equipping students with not only academic knowledge, but also the values and civic understanding required to contribute meaningfully to society.”
The commissioner urged the participating students to take advantage of the competition to broaden their knowledge of democratic principles and the workings of government.
She encouraged them to remain good ambassadors of their schools and the state, stressing that “exposure to civic education would prepare them for responsible leadership and active citizenship.”
The NILDS Director-General, Prof Abubakar Suleiman, said democracy could only thrive when citizens, particularly young people, understood the roles and responsibilities of democratic institutions.
The DG, represented by Mr Ibrahim Suleiman, said the legislature, as the people’s assembly, required an informed citizenry that understood its powers, functions and limitations.
Suleiman, who described the competition as a deliberate investment in the future of Nigeria’s democracy, said participating students had, over the years, gained knowledge of law-making, representation and the importance of the rule of law.
Six secondary schools Banji Akintoye Model College, Ado Ekiti; Alamoye Comprehensive High School, Aramoko Ekiti; St Mary’s Grammar School, Ikole Ekiti; St Michael Secondary School, Ifaki Ekiti; Ujilogun High School, Ilupeju-Ijan Ekiti; and Irepodun Community High School, Ikere-Ekiti — participated in the competition.
The schools performed creditably and received cash prizes and other gifts at the end of the competition.
