By Dayo Adesulu

The Chief Executive Officer, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mrs. Adepeju Adebajo, has charged stakeholders in education sector to invest greatly in children’s education as that it is the only way a nation can guarantee future leaders.

Speaking in Lagos during the Lafarge National Literacy Competition in partnership with Ovie Brume Foundation, Adebajo said ”the education of children who are the leaders of tomorrow is pivotal.”

In the 2015 National Literacy competition, Rivers, Lagos and Kogi states emerged first, second and third respectively.

She vowed that with the support of all stakeholders, Lafarge and Ovie Brume Foundation, the ten million out of school children in Nigeria will go back to school.

Sustainable manner

“In Lafarge Africa Plc, we derive utmost joy and satisfaction from making contributions to our society, especially in a sustainable manner as part of our commitment to building better cities in Nigeria, she said.

Adebajo who noted that Lafarge is proud to be making this strong statement as a key contributor to the development of education in Nigeria said “we understand the key role education plays in the development of any society.”

Having sponsored the contest for two years Adebajo said she was delighted with the testimonials and assessment reports shared about the initiative.

“It is a clear indication that immediate and unprecedented landmark can be achieved simply by doing the right thing at the right time, and in the right direction,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Iwalola Akin-Jimoh the Executive Director of Ovie Brume Foundation said: “The literacy competition is one of the avenues being employed by the Foundation to achieve her vision of a society where everyone is educated and empowered.”

“Education is the bedrock of development of any country and the gateway to success in life. This is why Ovie Brume Foundation is giving a voice to the average child in public school around the country, creating opportunities and platforms where they are given the needed support to help them realize the potentials in them and achieve excellence.

and the competition, moved on to other geo-political zones of the South-East (30th of July), North –East (8th of August), North-Central (12th of August), North-West (15th of August) and South-West (16th of September), before the grand finale in Lagos where Rivers State emerged first and Lagos Second.