Bamidele Bows out of Lagos Cabinet

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Opeyemi Bamidele has resigned from the cabinet of the Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola led administration.

Bamidele whose resignation took effect on Monday 14 February, 2011 was described by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) as a hero and an achiever.

At the valedictory executive session held for him, Fashola while accepting Bamidele’s resignation described him as a man of proven integrity who lived above board in the discharge of his duties as the State’s information manager.

According to the Governor, Bamidele’s legacy as Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development as well as Information and Strategy at different times, would remain indelible.

He added that his visions, ideas and views on issues of development contributed largely to the transformation that had taken place in the state.

Fashola also stressed on Bamidele’s contribution to the establishment of the State Archive  Bureau adding that he also contributed immensely to the setting up of a traffic radio, which will send information on traffic across the State.

It would be recalled that Bamidele contested for Ekiti Central Senatorial seat primary with his predecessor, Mr. Dele Alake, the incumbent Senator Bola Ola and Managing Director of The News magazine, Mr. Babafemi Ojudu. Although the primary was inconclusive, Bamidele was leading by 19 wards to his closest rival’s 7 wards.

However, it was alleged that few leaders of the party conspired against Opeyemi Bamidele and awarded the senate ticket to Obafemi Ojudu while Bamidele was given House of Representative ticket, an offer which he turned down.

WAEC: Lagos Lauds Teachers, Parents

Lagos State Government has commended teachers and parents for joining hands with Government towards ensuring continued improvement in the standard of education as reflected in the recently released results of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed this today in his office while briefing news men.

Making a comparative performance analysis of public school candidates in May/June West African Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) between 2007 to 2010, Bamidele averred that more candidates passed English Language, Mathematics and three other subjects at a sitting in year 2010 than previous years.

He stated that out of the 60,694 candidates who sat for the May/June 2010 WASSCE, 12, 818 candidates had a minimum of 5 credits including English Language and Mathematics; 15,818 candidates had 5 credits with Mathematics only; 17,061 candidates had 5 credits with English Language only, 368 candidates had 4 credits with English Language; and Mathematics, 20,014 candidates had 4 credits with English Language or Mathematics; 6,823 candidates had 3 credits with English Language and Mathematics.

With the results, Bamidele noted that if English Language is considered singly, the State recorded an improvement from 41.25% in 2009 to 77.57% in 2010, and considering Mathematics singly, the State moved from 22.48% in 2009 to 75.62% in 2010.  

The Commissioner also revealed that in 2009, out of the 62,097 candidates, 25,615 had credit in English Language while 13,958 had credit in Mathematics. In 2008, out of 65,699 candidates, 15,390 had credit in English Language and 16,229 scored credit in Mathematics while in 2007, 12, 157 candidates had credit in English Language and  12,076 candidates got credit in Mathematics out of 67,020 candidates that sat for the examination.

Bamidele attributed the improvement in the year 2010 results partly to the distribution of free textbooks in major subjects by the State Government as well as the provision of incentives to teachers.

He added that Government would further make the teaching environment more conducive, noting that no price could be too high to ensure quality and sound education as the only way of securing the future of our youth and, by implication, of the nation.