School debate will expand learning, build confidence

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Yunus Abioye Oyeleke Foundation has organised its maiden inter-school debate programme among secondary schools in the ancient town of Offa, Kwara state and its environs to build confidence in the students.

The first chartered accountant in the Northern region, the late Prince Yunus Abioye Oyeleke, who conceived idea of the foundation and its ideals, as well as establishment of the Pinnacle Resource Centre, aimed to expand frontier of knowledge in education, agriculture, health, engineering, etc.

Speaking at the finals of the programme in Offa on Friday, the chairman, board of trustees of the foundation, Alhaji Moshood Oyebisi Oyeleke, said the main objective of organizing the programme was to increase learning among students in the area.

“We intend to catch them young and grow them to become mature citizens when they leave school and to be able to stand on their own and meet challenges of events and be able to build them up.

Alhaji Oyeleke said activities of the foundation included faith, education, community development and health. “It also includes establishment of a highly subsidised eye clinic in Offa, construction of a 12km asphalt road; which has improved the quality of life in the area, and the centre is registered with the state government as a tertiary institution”, he said.

Oyeleke, who called on parents and teachers to do more to sustain standard of education in the country, said that they should supervise their students and children properly.

“Some teachers are half baked and some don’t have interest in teaching, but just to have work to do and collect salary,” he said.

The debate was organized among eight schools, while Hamdalat International School, Offa which came first got cash donation of N120,000. St. Clare School, Offa got second position with a cash donation of N80,000. The students who participated in the debate got school bags.

Retired school teacher in English Language, Mr. Jatto said that the programme was well organized and the topics were carefully selected, adding that the debate programme should be organized every year for the students to benefit from.

“It sharpens their mind, brings out intelligence, ability to exercise their capabilities and capacity as a way to avoid adversity in their education”.

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