Justice Opeyemi Oke, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, was on Wednesday inducted as the President of the Lagos State Scout Council with a pledge to give a fillip to the association.
“It is a call for service. I appreciate the honour bestowed on me ,” she said at her investiture held at the Conference Room of the Ikeja High Court Complex.
Oke, who boast of scouting experience, thanked the State Scout Council for giving her the opportunity to serve as the president.
“I am really grateful that you have found me worthy to be the President of the State Scout Council to be able to direct the affairs of the state scouts; I am not going to take this for granted.
“I believe I am well suited for the job because of my previous experience in scouting roles.
“I was a member of the `Man O’ War’ in my university days over 40 years ago and I was a Squadron Commander.
“Once you are a member of the Man O’ War club, the discipline, the teaching, the learning remains with you for life and I am carrying
that now as the President of the Lagos State Scout Council,” the chief judge said.
“I am also not new to the Girls Scout Club internationally and I happen to be a member. I have been told my responsibilities and I promised to abide by the promises that I have made here.”
Justice Oke also promised to help the Scout Council make the investiture ceremony of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode a reality.
She said: “Our governor is an amiable person and very approachable, I am making the promise on his behalf that you will soon come
to honour him as you have honoured me.”
Chief Jonathan Tawose, the State Commissioner of the State Scout Council, thanked the chief judge for accepting the honour and
expressed the hope that she would continue to support the organization.
He said the State Scout Council had not received subventions from the state government for the past 15 years.
“We will appreciate if you can speak with the Ministry of Youth and Social Development to please reinstate and review upwards the subventions of the State Council of the Scout Association of Nigeria to function effectively.”
Tawose had sought Oke’s assistance towards the investiture of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode as the Patron of the Scout Council.
“We are obliged by international laws to train and mould youths throughout their formative stages to become useful and purposeful
leaders.
“To achieve these objectives, the council needs financial assistance. Normally, we are supposed to draw our finances from government subventions and donations from philanthropists,” he said.
Alhaji M. D. Sanni, the Chief Commissioner of the State Scout Council, also solicited funds for the association to discharge its duties.
“We will appreciate it if finance and the necessary tools are provided for the scout council such as a bus, gadgets and equipment.”
Scouts, judges, lawyers and other stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice sector attended the investiture. (NAN)
