Oyo state First Lady, Engr.Taminominin Makinde has reaffirmed the continuous commitment of the state government to give premium attention to education in the state as 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 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.
The first lady who was 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.
She urges them to utilize the materials given to them judiciously.
The initiative is aimed at encouraging the education dreams of every Nigerian child for a better life among families.
According to her, Today’s event is hinged on the renewed hope initiative of her excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. Whom her eminent first lady, our eminent mother, that I refer to as the mother general of all Oyo State women in the person of our first lady Engr. Olufunke Taminoumini makinde, who served not only as the Oyo State coordinator of the initiative, she is also the southwest coordinator of the initiative.
“This programme was conceptualized and brought into being by the first lady of the republic was brought into being 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.
At the end of the next decade or so we will be excited for you seeing us on the street of Oyo state or the street of Nigeria or outside the country and saying I faced my studies and benefitted from the renewed hope initiative, I faced my studies, and today I’m now a doctor, I’m presently an engineer, I am at this moment a lawyer, I am presently a nurse, I am presently an internationally fully recognized fashion designer. This would be what will happen to you all in the mighty name of God.”
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 principal of Iseyin District Grammar School, Mrs Oyepeju Kazeem and the principal of 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.
Also, 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 Oyo First Lady to 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.
*E-Signed
Media Team MoES&T
25th July, 2024.*
