The Executive Chairman of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Hon. (Barr.) Oluyemisi Adenike Rosiji, has deepened her administration’s focus on education with the flag-off of the second edition of the Back to School Initiative, an intervention designed to support pupils across public primary schools in the LCDA.
The flag-off ceremony, held on Monday at Ebenezer African Church Primary School 1 & 2, Beckley Estate, Ahmadiyah, marked the commencement of the distribution of educational materials to pupils, with the exercise scheduled to move round all public primary schools within Ojokoro LCDA in the coming days.
The materials include school bags, exercise books, pens, pencils, erasers, rulers and other writing materials, providing pupils with essential items needed for their studies.
Speaking at the event, Chairman Rosiji said the decision to sustain the initiative in its second edition was informed by the encouraging feedback received from the first edition.
According to her, reports from parents, teachers and pupils showed that the intervention had made a positive difference, particularly in easing some of the pressure on parents while boosting the morale of pupils.
She said the initiative was therefore not simply a repeat of the previous year’s programme, but a deliberate effort to sustain an intervention that had demonstrated impact.
“No child should be held back from learning because of the inability of a parent to provide basic educational materials,” Hon. Rosiji said.
The Chairman said the Back to School Initiative formed part of her administration’s broader commitment to education and human-capital development, citing other interventions including the provision of free GCE and UTME forms, as well as vocational skills and youth empowerment initiatives.
She said the administration would continue to invest in children because of their importance to the future of Ojokoro.
Hon. Rosiji also acknowledged the efforts of teachers in shaping the pupils, noting that the comportment, discipline and behaviour displayed by the children were indications of the work being done by their teachers.
She consequently urged the pupils to take their education seriously, respect their teachers, listen to their parents, remain disciplined and avoid truancy and other activities capable of jeopardising their future.
The Chairman told the pupils that the materials being presented should remind them that their community believes in their potential.
Earlier, the Council Manager of Ojokoro LCDA, Dr. Idowu Daisi Banjoko, commended the Chairman for her interventions, particularly in the education sector.
Banjoko described the administration’s efforts in education as notable, adding that the Chairman’s work had attracted recognition beyond the LCDA.
He disclosed that a national education body had listed Hon. Rosiji among dignitaries to be honoured, reflecting the recognition her education-focused initiatives had received.
Also speaking, the Education Secretary, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Mr. S. K. Idowu, commended the Council Boss for her sustained attention to education.
Mr. Idowu said he had received positive feedback from parents about the Chairman’s educational interventions, particularly how the support had helped relieve some of the financial burden on families and encouraged pupils.
He, however, challenged teachers to intensify their efforts in teaching and academic development, expressing the hope that the winner of the forthcoming Spelling Bee Competition would emerge from his jurisdiction.
In his closing remarks, the Supervisor for Education, Hon. Busari Nasiri, charged the pupils to make proper use of the educational materials provided and remain committed to their studies.
He told them that taking their education seriously and making good use of the materials was one of the best ways to appreciate the Chairman’s gesture.
Speaking on behalf of the pupils, Miss Temitope Oshikoya appreciated the Council Boss for her continued support for pupils through the provision of educational materials and prayed for the Chairman.
The pupils of Ebenezer African Church Primary School 1 & 2 also expressed their appreciation through a colourful cultural display staged for the Chairman and her team.
The atmosphere became particularly lively as the pupils proudly displayed the school bags, books and other educational materials they had received, demonstrating their excitement over the initiative.