Faduyile flags off distribution of exercise books to hinterland schools in Ondo South

By Steve Ovirih.

Ondo South Senator, Distinguished Senator Prof.Dayo Faduyile, OON, on Wednesday flagged off the distribution of back-to-school materials, including thousands of exercise books, to public secondary schools in hinterland communities across the district.

The flag-off ceremony, which held at community government secondary schools in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area, marks the commencement of the first phase of the educational support programme targeted at underserved schools in the senatorial district.

Faduyile, who said the initiative is aimed at easing the burden on parents and encouraging school enrolment and retention in rural communities, noted that education remains the most potent tool for bridging inequality and securing the future of the younger generation.

 

According to him, the intervention will be extended to hinterland public secondary schools in the remaining five local government areas that make up Ondo South — Okitipupa, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Irele and Odigbo — beginning from Thursday.

The senator said the programme was deliberately focused on hinterland schools where access to basic learning materials remains a challenge for many students and families.

“This is about giving every child, regardless of where they are born, the opportunity to learn with dignity. We are starting from Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo today, and from tomorrow our team will move to the other five local governments to ensure that students in the most remote public schools benefit,” Faduyile said.

He added that the gesture is part of his legislative agenda to promote human capital development and complement the efforts of the Ondo State government in repositioning education in the state. “In Ondo State, our amiable Governor, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has put up ‘Our Ease Agenda’ and in the agenda is provision of quality education to learners both in the hinterland and the cosmopolitan areas. I key into this agenda and on this basis, we have this back to school program for our learners in the hinterland communities of Ondo South Senatorial District,” Senator Faduyile reiterated. He added that the idea is equally in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his commitment to people -oriented representation.

Education stakeholders and school administrators at the flag-off venue commended the initiative, describing it as timely, especially at the commencement of the new academic session, and called for sustained investment in rural education infrastructure.

The Principal, Ademulegun High School, Bamikemo Ile-Oluji,Mr.Taiwo Alimi, while thanking Senator Faduyile for the gesture of support noted that it is the first time any elected politician in the district will extend such thoughtful assistance to learners in the area, noting that in the mind of the learners and their parents, Senator Faduyile has made an indelible impression.

In her reaction, Director, Schools Department, Ministry of Education,Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo Area Education Office, Mrs.Ogunbome said Senator Faduyile has by this gesture shown his commitment to the education of the Nigerian child regardless of status of birth or location of learning, thanking him while describing the effort as very commendable.

The Vice Principal, Abari Comprehensive College,Onipanu, Ile Oluji,Alhaji Muraina Wahab, speaking on behalf of the School Principal,Mr.Adefelu Johnson, who was out on an official meeting, noted that while the learners are too young to put out exact words of appreciation, their parents, when they get home with Exercise books will appreciate Senator Faduyile with words of prayers. He thanked the Senator for reaching his school with the kind gesture, while noting that there are other areas the school will be soliciting the assistance of Ondo South Senator.

Beneficiary students, who received the exercise books expressed appreciation to the lawmaker, pledging to make judicious use of the materials to improve their academic performance.

Faduyile assured that the distribution exercise is the first in a series of educational interventions lined up for schools across Ondo South, including scholarship support and provision of instructional materials.

Among the schools visited with the back to school materials in Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo Local Govt are Oke Igbo Grammar School, Oke Igbo, Olorooke Community High School, Oke Igbo, Ademulegun High School, Bamikemo Ile-Oluji, Abari Comprehensive College, Onipanu, Ile Oluji.

The Team Lead of the committee on the back to school exercise and DG PDF, Mr.Paul Oniyemofe expressed his appreciation to the School administrators for their cooperation.