A Nigerian, United States-based education enthusiast and benefactor, Mr Jide Ogungbadero, has described quality education as the ladder through which many can climb out of the pit of ignorance and poverty in the country.
He added that “our country will overcome many of its numerous economic challenges if our children can be given access to free and affordable quality education.”
Ogungbadero made the assertion while commending the immediate past chairman of the Ibadan Grammar School Old Students’ Association (IGSOSA), Lagos branch, Mr Hakeem Suara, following the award of academic excellence and humanitarian service presented to him by the AIONIAN Group of Schools for his contributions to the development of education in the country and his alma mater generally.
The AIONIAN group of schools is an acronym derived from the initials of foundation member schools in the Western State of Nigeria, namely Abeokuta Grammar School (founded in 1908), Ijebu-Ode Grammar School (1913), Ondo Boys High School (1919), Ibadan Grammar School (1913), with the ‘AN’ added to make it adjectival.
However, by 1955, membership of the AIONIAN group of schools had grown to 12, with the creation of Oyo, Ondo and Ogun states in 1976; the schools were divided into three equal parts with four in each state.
Speaking further on the honour bestowed on Suara, Ogungbadero said the award of academic excellence and humanitarian service was a well-deserved one for the former Lagos IGSOSA chairman, saying, “Suara has contributed in no small measure to the development of education in Nigeria.”
He noted that through his relentless effort many children in the AIONIAN schools, particularly in his alma mater, have been given hope of continuing with their education, home and abroad.
“He spends his resources and time to ensure a better future for many children in the society, many of whom he did not know their source,” Ogungbadero said.
While calling on other well-meaning citizens, individuals, corporate organisations to emulate the honouree in looking back to assist the under-privileged in the society, he said, “I believe Nigeria will be a better place to live in if more people can emulate him and assist especially the indigent pupils\students who are showing the willingness to have quality education.
He appreciated the leadership of the AIONIAN group of schools for its thoughtfulness in acknowledging the effort of Mr Suara, while he urged him to see the award as a clarion call to do more in the service of humanity than ever before.
In his remarks, the awardee expressed his joy at the recognition, promising not to rest on his oars, but to continually affect the lives of the students positively.