From Cyriacus Nnaji, Lagos
As part of its initiative to raise awareness of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Quality Education, a not-for-profit organisation, Eziokwu Ebubechukwu Foundation (EEF) has organised a book-drive Christmas experience for pupils of Olorunda community in Yewa South Local Government, Ogun state.
The community present at the event held on Wednesday were Irogun Akere, Alaran, Isaga Abata, Asafo, Ojuota, Abule Joga, Isaga Olatunji and Abule Alfa.
The NGO distributed educational materials to over 500 indigent pupils, which includes branded school bags, books, water bottles, textbooks and other essentials school materials needed to facilitate learning.
While delivering his welcome address, the Founder, EEF, Mr Ezeukoh Ebubechukwu said the gesture was imperative to enhance quality access to education especially among pupils in the rural environment.
He said, “By providing these educational materials, we aim to support students who lack basic educational supplies, thereby helping them stay focused and motivated throughout the academic year. The project’s goal is to reduce school dropouts by ensuring that pupils have the learning materials they need.
“The gesture was not a showoff but a drive towards empowering the leaders of tomorrow as the foundation is commitment to empowering the younger generation with quality access to education and proper learning tools, irrespective of their location. We are particularly glad that this gesture will boost education in Olorunda community and also encourage the young people in the geographic location to be more educated,” the founder added.
Delighted about the privilege to give back, Mr Ebubechukwu said, “It is a privilege to be in this position to get people gather resources to give back to the society. I see it more as a means to give back to the society that birth me.
“Education is important, the very reason for this gesture to encourage pupils to learn. With this outreach, we get them to know that school can be fun, boost togetherness and the need for family bond.”
He, however appealed to the teachers to communicate more with the pupils with the official language to enable the students become better people in the community and society at large.
He urged the pupils to pay more attention to their studies and be committed to becoming successful in life so that, they can in turn build capacity to also give back to the community.
Praising the foundation’s contributions, the headteacher of the school, Mrs Enitan Idowu said: “In a time when Nigeria is facing economic hardship, gathering yourselves to help children from poor homes by providing books, bags, and writing materials is truly commendable. Th foundation has done a great job, and we encourage other NGOs to emulate same efforts.
She added that, “the foundation’s commitment to the cause of Education and Child Development is truly commendable. You are the embodiment of the values we seek to instil in the younger generation, for them to thrive better and further in life.”
Earlier, In his remark, the monarch of the community, Baale of Alagbe Villiage in Ilaro District, Yewa South Local Government, Hon Olanipekun Alagbe (JP) described the support as laudable gesture, noting that, “the donations of educational materials to school in this rural area is the first of its kind in the history of the community.
“This gesture no doubt will boost Olorunda community and change the story of our academic system for good.
Hon. Alagbe who called on the government to assist the community in the provision of electricity, pipeborne water and an accessible roads highlighted poor study materials, insufficient teachers and unavailability of funds to access education as the major challenges affecting pupils in the community.
He however appealed to the state government as well as the federal government to come to their aid.
Emphasizing the challenges faced, the monarch said, “Our children appreciate this gesture and the people of the community. However, our major challenge here is that no road, no material for student to study with, insufficient teachers, no enough funds to send these children to school.
“The government should help in this regard and make teachers available. Even most school building are in deplorable state. No power supply in this community and access to a clean water is almost impossible as we depend on stream water to survive. We therefore appeal to the government to assist us here.
“Also, many parents who struggle to afford basic needs cannot afford educational materials for their children. Initiatives like these play a vital role in bridging the gap for underprivileged families,” he stressed.
