Oyo First Lady Flags-off Distribution Of 50,000 Free Renewed Hope Exercise Books To Students
Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Engr.Taminominin Makinde has reaffirmed the continuous commitment of the state government to give premium attention to education in the state, describing the sector as a foundation for sustainable development and better tomorrow.
Mrs. Makinde gave this assurance at the flag -off programme of the distribution of Fifty thousand (50,000) free exercise books to public secondary schools across Oyo state.
The free exercise book which is one of the intervention programs from the office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu in collaboration with the office of Oyo state First Lady is aimed at encouraging the education dreams of every Nigerian child for a better life among families.
Speaking further at the event held in Iseyin and Fiditi, Oyo state, the first lady, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Toyin Balogun, explained that the intervention is done in the best interest of the state and students with a view to assisting parents to meet, the writing materials requirements of their wards.
She admonished students not to rest on their oars by taking their studies seriously, and ensure the materials given are well utilized.
“This programme was conceptualized and brought into being by the first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to ensure that the quality of life lived by our people, especially the women and the children is improved considerably.
“The programme comes in different segments, the agricultural element, the educational element is what we are reinstating today. What this is supposed to do is the distribution of school supplies in the form of educational supplies, in the form of exercise books,etc 15 schools are represented today and everyone will go home with part of the book pack of the renewed hope initiative.
“You will agree with me that Engr. Seyi Makinde has put up a free education policy that we are all benefitted from. This intervention today is to serve as a compliment to the free education policy of His Excellency Gov. Seyi Makinde. This programme would relieve the burden of our parents .
” My word of advice is for you to go to higher institutions or places of vocational learning and become distinguished members of the society”
In his welcome address, the Commissioner of education, Prof. Salihu Adelabu acknowledged the outstanding records of the Oyo state Governor in the education sector.
The commissioner , who spoke through the Director of Secondary Schools, Mr. Akanji Olayinka, hinted that the gesture will enhance the academic performance of the oyo state students.
In their goodwill messages,the principals, Iseyin District Grammar School, Mrs Oyepeju Kazeem and Fiditi Grammar School, Mrs Abokede Taiwo, lauded government at the federal and state levels for the gesture, added that it will in turn assist parents in no small measures in the area of provision of writing materials to the wards.
Speaking on behalf of the students, the Senior Girl, Iseyin District, Miss Olaosebikan Raheemat, appreciated the first lady for the gesture, saying that today’s programme will serve as a morale booster to all of them and will help them to prepare for the next academic session.
The event which was held at the Iseyin District Grammar School, Iseyin and Fiditi Grammar School, Oyo, climaxed with a symbolic presentation of the exercise books by the representative of Oyo First Lady to the representatives of students from schools across the state.
The programme also had in attendance, the Onifiditi of Fiditi, Oba Sakiru Oyelere, Permanent Secretaries/Inspector Generals of Education ,Engr Salam Adebayo and Dr. Tunde Aremu , Director of Curriculum, Ministry of Education,Science and Technology, Mrs. Alamu Folasade,
Directors, Zonal and Local Inspectors, Principals, Parents and Students from public schools across the state.