7TH ANNUAL LECTURE AND AWARD OF POST-GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS PF THE STEPHEN OLUWOLE AWOKOYA FOUNDATION FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION HELD AT THE MUSON CENTRE ONIKAN, LAGOS ON 18TH MARCH, 2002

BRIEF REMARKS OF THE HON. MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE SENATOR JUBRIL-MARTINS KUYE AS GUEST OF HONOUR.

The Chairman, Members of the Board of Trustees of the Stephen Oluwole Awokoya Foundation for Science Education, Distinguished Ladies & Gentlemen, Distinguished Ladies & Gentlemen,

1. It is a great honour for me to be the Guest of Honour at the 7 th Annual Lecture and Award of Post-Graduate Scholarships in memory of the late Dr.Stephen Oluwole Awokoya. This is an auspicious occasion to recall and praise the notable contributions he made to the field of education generally and science education in particular.

2. I recall that Dr. Awokoya was one of the most visible fathers of free Universal Education in Nigeria as the first Minister of Education under the leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the early 50s. The Late Professor Awokoya was an Educational technocrat of repute in the old western Region and is zeal in science education impacted positively on a lot of people who are today leaders in various fields of endeavour.

3. Professor Awokoya's immense contributons to the development of education in Nigeria are legendary and they have all been well articulated. As a Minister of Education in the old Western Region, the first free Primary Education Scheme was successfully launched during his tenure. His pioneering effort in the establishment of the Federal Emergency Science School for the training of an army of Science and Technically oriented personnel cannot be forgotten.

4. I also recall his sojourn at the UNESCO where he rose to the highest non-political post of Deputy Director-General for Science. At home, at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University ) is brilliance and skill as a Professor of Educational Planning was generally acknowledged.

5. On a personal note, Professor Awokoya was my special papa and a friend of my biological father, J.G. Kuye of Ago-Iwoye. I was with the Awokoyas at the very first lecture series and I hope to continue to be part of this great honour to Dr. Awokoya.

6. I congratulate and thank the children and all admirers of the Late Dr. Awokoya and I urge all of you to keep the flag of his remembrance flying.

7. I thank you for your attention.