Resumption: 1,500 school pupils get education materials in Ekiti

No fewer than 1,500 pupils in Ikere-Ekiti, Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State, have been given free school and educational materials ahead of the resumption for the new academic session.

The materials were distributed freely to the pupils by a member of the Governing Council of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and Ekiti State Coordinator of Young Professionals for Tinubu, Abimbola Daramola.

The event, which took place in Ikere-Ekiti at the weekend, saw the philanthropist distribute 1,500 school bags, 1,500 pairs of sandals, 1,500 school uniforms and 5,000 writing materials to pupils, while 50 sewing machines were provided to beneficiaries as part of an empowerment programme.

She explained that the gesture was designed to remove some of the financial barriers confronting pupils and families while creating opportunities for beneficiaries to improve their livelihoods.

Speaking on the initiative, Daramola said the intervention was driven by her conviction that education remains one of the most powerful weapons against poverty and inequality.

She noted that the programme was not limited to distributing school materials but was also aimed at empowering families and aspiring entrepreneurs with productive equipment capable of creating sustainable sources of income.

Daramola urged patriotic citizens to make investment in education a collective responsibility, stressing that government could not shoulder the entire burden of providing opportunities for every child and young person.

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She described education as “the most flourishing industry that has earned the citizens respect and global recognition,” insisting that its preservation and development should concern all lovers of humanity.

Daramola expressed optimism that the intervention would expand educational opportunities, strengthen household livelihoods and contribute to grassroots development, while also supporting the consolidation of the Federal Government’s economic reform agenda.

Commending the initiative, the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, described Daramola as a champion of education and a strong supporter of the government’s Education-for-All agenda.

Afuye, who was represented at the event by her Special Assistant on Special Duties, Prince Akinboye Adegboye, said the gesture would complement the government’s efforts to tackle the problem of out-of-school children and ensure that poverty did not force children out of classrooms.

She said the intervention was in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the education policies of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration.

According to her, “You all know what President Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji stand for. They believe in quality education and education for all.

“Since 2023, these leaders have shown through adequate funding, staff recruitment and empowerment of categories of pupils and students to ensure that no pupil drops out of school on the basis of poor financial standing.

“It is on this basis that I appreciate Barr Daramola for supporting this dream. What you are doing today is historic and it will further serve as a motivation to other Nigerians to donate to the funding of education, because government cannot do it alone.”

The Deputy Governor appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, particularly Ekiti indigenes, to emulate Daramola by investing in education and supporting the government’s efforts to sustain excellence in the sector.

She urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the materials and ensure that the intervention translated into improved academic performance and better livelihoods.