NGO Partners Lagos, Others for 6th Inter-Public Schools Championship

Mary Nnah

The Shamadean Imole Charity Foundation has commenced the sixth edition of the Lagos State Inter-Public Schools Championship, an initiative aimed at promoting academic excellence, creativity, sportsmanship, and the overall value of education among students in public secondary schools across the state.

The championship, organised in partnership with the state government through the Ministries of Basic and Secondary Education and Information, brings together public junior and senior secondary schools from the six education districts, covering communities across Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu, Ikeja and Lagos division respectively.

According to the organisers, the competition is designed to provide students with opportunities to showcase their talents while encouraging healthy competition, teamwork and leadership. It features a wide range of activities, including debate, Chess, Scrabble, table tennis, male and female football, and cooking competitions for both teachers and students.

The event also includes the Lagos State High School Creatives (LSHSC), a platform dedicated to nurturing artistic talents through miming, acapella performances and cultural presentations.

The organisers said that the initiative seeks to revive the value of education by engaging students in activities that promote intellectual growth, creativity and character development beyond the classroom.

Preliminary rounds have already commenced in several parts of the state, including Epe, Kosofe, Somolu-Bariga, Mushin, Oshodi-Isolo and Ikeja, with schools participating in the debate category.

The competition is expected to continue in September following the resumption of schools, when other events and subsequent stages of the championship will be held across the state’s education districts.

The foundation urged public secondary schools, students, teachers and other stakeholders to support the initiative, noting that the championship has continued to serve as a platform for discovering and nurturing young talents while reinforcing the importance of quality education in Lagos State.

“We started in 2021, and our main goal is to bring back the value of education to Lagos State through engaging events like sports and debate that will attract the students and out-of-school kids to education. So far, we’ve been able to return over 700 students to school.

“We were inspired by the drop in value of education. We want to win the souls of those who do not come to school,” Aderemi Oki, the convener of the foundation said.

When schools resume in September, the championship will continue with series of major events across the state. The cooking competition for teachers and students will hold on October 27, at the Ikeja Senior Grammar School Hall, Bolade, Oshodi. This will be followed by the male and female football finals on November 19, at the Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos Island.

The creative segment of the championship, featuring miming, acapella and cultural performances, will hold on November 23, at the MUSON Centre, Onikan. The championship will culminate on November 24, with the inter-public schools debate grand finale for junior and senior secondary schools, also at the MUSON Centre, Onikan.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, the Head, Community Engagement, Damilare Adewusi, acknowledged the consistency of the NGO’s efforts towards the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence through innovative sports and education-based initiatives that engage and empower young people across Lagos. 

“As we look forward to this year’s Kick Against Sexual and Gender-based Violence Sports Competition, we anticipate another impactful platform that will bring secondary school students together to reinforce the message of kicking against sexual and gender-based violence while promoting teamwork, discipline, respect, awareness of reporting channels, and access to available support services in a fun and engaging learning environment,” Adewusi said. 

Sosa Fruit Drink’s Brand Manager, Ruth Mark, expressed delight about the company’s partnership as official beverage sponsor of the event. She stressed that “the championship is more than just a competition, it is a platform that nurtures excellence, leadership, teamwork, creativity and healthy competition among young people, while bringing together students, teachers, parents and schools across Lagos State.

“We believe initiatives like this play a vital role in developing well-rounded students by encouraging them to discover their talents, build confidence and cultivate essential life skills beyond the classroom. 

“We encourage schools and parents to actively support and allow their children to participate in this remarkable initiative. It offers students an opportunity to learn, compete, build lasting friendships, and gain experiences that will positively shape their personal and academic growth,” Mark said.

The Brand Manager of Indomie, Ibrahim Isah, stated that the championship also gives schools an opportunity to engage their students in activities that make learning more exciting and encourage them to remain committed to their education.

He urged more schools and students to participate actively, as the initiative offers an opportunity to learn, compete, express themselves and build lasting memories.

“Indomie is delighted to be an official sponsor this impactful initiative and to play a role in creating moments that bring people together, celebrate young talents and demonstrate that when we bond, we create stronger communities and a brighter future for our children,” he added.

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