EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH CHIEF YOMI OTUBELA (FCMA)

 
SPECIAL INTERVIEW

With the current National Deputy President of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS)


A brief biography of Chief 'Yomi Otubela

Chief Yomi Otubela is the proprietor of Lagoos Schools at Orile Agege, Lagos State, and the current National Deputy President of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS). He holds a Chieftaincy title "Akeweje of Orile Agege". He also holds a Bachelors Degre in Education and a Fellow of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (FCMA).

2.  AS THE NATIONAL DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF NAPPS, WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES CONFRONTING PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL SERVICE PROVIDERS?

Otunba:  There are major challenges that confront private education providers, some of which are expressed thus;
i.  Multiple taxation from Governments;
ii. Lack of credit facilities at compassionate interest rate;
iii. Various government policies which tend to be inimical to the growth and development of private education;
iv. Unfavourable business environment resulting from lack of basic facilities

3.  HOW DO YOU THINK THE LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT AS A MAJOR STAKEHOLDER     IN THE EDUCATION INDUSTRY CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE TO MEMBERS OF YOUR ASSOCIATION?

Otunba:  Lagos State through Ministry of Education can be of assistance to members of the association by honestly seeking inputs from the association before implementation of their policies.

4.  HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR ASSOCIATION CAN WORK TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION AND QUALITY CONTROL OF THE NEW NATIONAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM?

Otunba:  Like I said earlier, the association would want to work together with the Government to ensure effective implementation of National Education Curriculum but this can only be achieved if government see us as partners in progress.

5.  WE HEARD OF A PROPOSAL IN SOME QUARTERS FOR A UNIFIED EXAMINATION FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN LAGOS STATE. PLEASE CAN YOU SHED MORE LIGHT ON THIS PLAN?

Otunba:  Yes, I can authoritatively tell you that the maiden edition of NAPPS Unified Examination kicked off in the month of June 2014. The benefits of Unified examination are too numerous which include;

i.     Engendering healthy rivalry among member schools;

ii.    Propelling all stakeholders to cover the syllabus adequately;

iii.   Increasing productivity and performance;

iv.   Keeping all stakeholders - proprietors, principals, head teachers and pupils on their toes;

v.    Bringing about effective utilization of resources;

vi.   Improving pupils'/students' performance in external examinations.

6.  AS A WAY OF MODERATING DEFAULT IN SCHOOL PAYMENT AND CROSS-OVER OF DEBTORS FROM ONE SCHOOL TO ANOTHER, IS IT POSSIBLE TO INTRODUCE A PRIVATE SCHOOL LASGEM NUMBER SCHEME IN LAGOS STATE?

Otunba:  Yes it is possible so as to check the rate of default in school payment system.

7.  LOOKING AT THE 'LAGOOZ' BRAND, WHAT ARE THE UNIQUE BENEFITS OF THE LAGOOZ BRAND TO THE SOCIETY?

Otunba:  Lagooz brand apart from promoting qualitative education at affordable cost to the society also ensures that social responsibility to immediate business environment is not left out for instance, Lagooz Schools have floated scholarship programmes for various categories of students, supported various individuals and youth projects within the community to mention but a few.

8.  WHAT ARE THE DISTINCT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LAGOOZ SCHOOLS TO OTHER SCHOOLS (BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC) IN YOUR AREA OF OPERATION?

Otunba:  Lagooz Schools is an amazing architectural masterpiece where we encourage an enthusiasm for learning and provide the best education to enable all children to achieve their potentials. In Lagooz, we are equipped with well-trained academic and non-academic professionals, also our world of class facilities are second to none.

9.  THE RACE NOW IS FOR NOTABLE SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO OWN A UNIVERSITY. DO YOU HAVE A PLAN FOR LAGOOZ UNIVERSITY? IF YES, HOW SOON DO WE EXPECT FORMAL OPENING?

Otunba:  Yes, every business seeks for growth in profit, scale of operation etc. so in Lagooz, there is a plan for something like that in the nearest future i.e. Lagooz University.