The Executive Members of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Somolu Zone, paid a courtesy visit to the Supervising Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary (TG/PS) of Education District II, Mr. Olusegun Osinaike, at the District Headquarters, Maryland, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
Welcoming the team, led by the Zone Chairman, Mrs. Soyoye Oluyinka Ebunoluwa, the TG/PS appreciated the delegation for the visit and the goodwill message. He affirmed that the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is committed to addressing staffing issues through ongoing recruitment by the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), covering both teaching and non-teaching cadres.
Mr. Osinaike assured that appointments of Principals and Vice Principals would be taken care of as a matter of urgency, noting that appointments would be based on seniority, merit and integrity.
“Please ensure that those recommended for leadership positions are qualified and have a clean record. We want credible individuals who are due for elevation and can add value to school administration,” he advised, requesting the submission of such recommendations within 24 hours”, he said.
On the issue of school security, Mr. Osinaike revealed that the District had written to the Ministry of Special Duties and expressed optimism for a positive response.
He also addressed the growing trend of students engaging in vocational training during school hours, urging principals to adopt a holistic educational approach that fosters interest in academics through affective and psychomotor engagement, not just cognitive focus.
“The cognitive domain alone cannot retain students’ interest. We must win the hearts of both the students and their parents by making learning meaningful and inclusive,” he added.
The TG/PS further emphasised the importance of leadership and teachers’ motivation in improving student performance, stressing that school results in external examinations such as WAEC and BECE will remain a key criterion for leadership advancement within the system.
Earlier in her address, Mrs. Soyoye congratulated Mr. Osinaike on his appointment and commended his transformative leadership, which, she noted, had already begun to yield positive results within the District.
“We are here to pledge our allegiance and express our readiness to work with you as a team to move the District forward,” she affirmed.
She noted that though Somolu has the fewest number of schools in the District, with 10 Senior and nine Junior schools. The zone has been acknowledged as ‘The Small but Mighty’ because of its significant achievements, notably producing a One-Day Governor, winning the Best Junior Secondary School in Nigeria, and consistently excelling in state and national competitions.
The ANCOPSS Chairman also presented pressing concerns affecting the zone, which included acute shortage of teaching and non-teaching staff, lack of Principals and Vice-Principals in some schools, security challenges due to inadequate government-provided day and night guards, rising parental apathy affecting student punctuality and school attendance, largely due to conflicting vocational training engagements, and infrastructure deficits in some schools.
The meeting ended on a note of mutual respect, renewed collaboration, and shared commitment to raising the standard of education in Somolu Zone and Education District II at large.
Present at the meeting were Mrs Abioye Aderoju Christiana, Vice Chairman; Mrs Jinmi-Ahisu Yetude Helen, Secretary; Mrs. Majekodunmi Olanrewaju Abiola, Financial Secretary/Treasurer; Mr. Ogunlade Olufemi. Public Relations Officer and Mrs. Tijani Monsurat Olaide, Assistant Secretary, as well as the top Director in the District Headquarters.
