The Chairman of Akoko South-West Local Government Area, Ondo State, Ayo Ajana, has launched a back-to-school initiative with the distribution of 30,000 exercise books and 1,000 school bags to pupils in public primary schools across the council area.
The initiative, which was launched at St Mary’s Catholic Mega Primary School, Oka Akoko, is aimed at reducing the financial burden on parents and encouraging children to return to school and remain in school.
The distribution of the educational materials to public primary schools across the local government is expected to be completed within the next few days.
Speaking at the event, Ajana said the intervention was not merely about providing learning materials but represented an investment in the future of children in the council area.
He said his administration was aware of the economic difficulties confronting families, stressing that reducing the cost of educating children remained one of the responsibilities of the local government.
Ajana recalled that his administration had earlier distributed 150 JAMB forms to residents under the O’Dirorun Free JAMB Form Scheme, while bursary assistance was also provided to more than 25 young law graduates and Bar aspirants.
He urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the materials, study diligently and respect their parents and teachers, assuring residents that his administration would continue to support programmes that improve opportunities for young people.
The Akoko South-West Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Suuru E.O., commended Ajana for the initiative, saying it would reduce the burden on parents and demonstrated his commitment to his campaign promise on education.
Also speaking, the Acting Education Secretary, Mrs Adefopefoluwa O., said the intervention could encourage more children to return to school and complement government efforts to improve the welfare of learners.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Scholarship, Samad Orijeminiyi, described the initiative as a commendable “catch-them-young” approach, saying it could contribute to addressing the problem of out-of-school children.
Orijeminiyi said, “It will go a long way to address the issue of out-of-school children, which I consider one of the main challenges confronting our country. Of a truth, we can’t address the issue of insecurity unless we do our best to make education attractive to children.”
He urged stakeholders in the education sector to support the programme to ensure that its objectives were achieved.
Representing the former Chairman of the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board, Victor Olabimtan, Solomon Oguniyi described the initiative as commendable and unprecedented in the history of the local government.
Ajana also commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his support for local governments, particularly his interventions following the failure of the bridges at Iwaro Oka and Aiyegunle Oka, as well as the award of the contract for the reconstruction of the Oba-Ikun-Afo-Idoani Road.
The chairman said his administration would also focus on social welfare, agriculture, youth and women empowerment and other programmes designed to improve the living standards of residents.
The event was attended by the Vice Chairman of the council, Sakara Theo; Secretary to the Local Government, Olumide Sidiku; Leader of the Legislative Arm, Ahmed Giwa; APC Chairman, Agbede Sunday; NUT Chairman, Suuru E.O.; AFPSHON Chairman, Ologun I.D.; traditional rulers and their representatives, councillors, education officials and other political appointees.
