Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has called on governments at all levels to invest more in education, saying strong schools remain the foundation for producing responsible leaders and driving national development.
Speaking on Wednesday at the 118th Founders’ Day Anniversary Lecture of Abeokuta Grammar School (AGS) in Ogun State, Salako urged students to embrace discipline, integrity and excellence, insisting that success begins in the classroom.
Delivering a lecture titled, “Honouring Our Foundations, Building Our Future: From Classroom to Relevance,” the minister said the values he acquired at Abeokuta Grammar School shaped his journey from a student to a medical doctor, public health expert and member of the Federal Executive Council.
“It is with a heart full of gratitude and nostalgia that I stand before you today. This invitation is not just an honour but a call to reflect on our past, strengthen our present and build a better future,” he said.
Salako traced the history of the school to its founding in 1908, describing it as one of Nigeria’s most prestigious secondary schools that has produced outstanding leaders in politics, medicine, education, law, business and the arts.
He paid tribute to distinguished alumni, including Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, former Health Minister Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti and Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, saying their achievements demonstrate the enduring legacy of the institution.
Recalling his years at the school, the minister said his teachers instilled discipline, resilience and a culture of excellence that prepared him for leadership.
According to him, those values have guided him throughout his career in medicine and public service.
Salako highlighted key achievements in the health sector under the current administration, revealing that primary healthcare utilisation had risen from about 10 million visits in early 2024 to about 45 million by mid-2025.
He also said medical school admissions had increased by 160 per cent since 2023, while more than 21.7 million Nigerians are now covered under health insurance schemes.
The minister urged students not to settle for mediocrity, reminding them that character remains more important than certificates.
“You owe this school your very best. Nigeria does not need more certificates alone; it needs men and women of integrity, courage and commitment,” he said.
He also challenged members of the Abeokuta Grammar School Old Boys Association (AGSOBA) to support the institution through scholarships, mentorship and infrastructure projects.
Salako appealed to the Ogun State Government and other stakeholders to give greater attention to public education, saying investment in schools would yield lasting benefits for the country.
He urged the students to uphold the school’s motto and slogan, “Iberu Oluwa ni Ipilese Ogbon” (The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom) and “Primus et Solus” (First and Only), by striving for excellence in all they do.
