Ambode Vows To Rescue Kidnapped School Students Unhurt

By Oladipupo Mojeed

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has reassured Lagosians that the State Government would do everything possible to ensure that six students of the Government Model College, Igbonla in Epe who were kidnapped in the early hours of Thursday are rescued unhurt and reunited with their parents.

Ambode who gave the assurance at this year’s Children Day celebration held at the Agege Stadium on Saturday said the celebration would not be complete without rescuing those innocent pupils safely and bring them back to school to continue their education.

The governor stated that the celebration would not be complete without rescuing those innocent pupils safely and bring them back to school to continue their education.

According to him, top security arrangement was on course to guarantee their safety, pledging that his government would stop at nothing to ensure that kidnapping and other criminal activities are put to an end in schools.

Represented by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Governor Ambode said that his administration was committed to protecting children in the state from any form of abuse, child labour or molestation by religiously implementing the Child Right Law and the Executive Order on Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, adding that “it was important to protect our children today, so that they can protect us tomorrow.”

Unique celebration

Ambode, who said that this year’s Children’s Day celebration was a unique one as the state is equally celebrating the 50th year anniversary of its creation, called on the children to remain focused, believe in themselves and set target that would make them attain greatness in life, promising that his government will continue to create opportunities and implement policies that would help them to become the best of what they can without any barriers.

“As we celebrate this year’s children’s Day and the 50th anniversary of our state, I want you to believe that you too can achieve greatness.

“You must believe in yourself and in your dreams. Very soon, it will be your responsibility to take Lagos state to the level that we all desired in the next 50 years.

“You are agents of change and I urge you, do not just go through life, make a difference, impact life and affect your community. What we are doing today is to lay a solid foundation for you to build on,” he said.