Gafar Alabi,

The Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), has commended CRADDLE, (a Non-Governmental Organisation focused on providing educational materials to learners in basic education), for empowering no fewer than 500 primary school pupils across the State to improve their academic pursuits.

Chairman of the Board, Evang. Olalekan Ifede, gave the commendation while delivering a speech at the Craddle Primary Education Scholarship presentation at Ake, Abeokuta.

Represented by the Board Secretary, Mrs Olubunmi Oso, Ifede, said the organisation was doing far more than distributing awards, describing the initiative as an investment in potential, a means of breaking financial barriers and restoring hope among learners.

The SUBEB Chairman lauded the organisers for their commitment to educational development in communities, while appreciating the Ogun State Government for placing education at the heart of its development agenda.

In her goodwill message, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Mariam Oloko, represented by Mrs. Oluyemisi Adelani, described education as not merely a pathway to academic achievement but the fundamental foundation upon which the future of society would be built.

She stressed that the importance of supporting children at the primary school level could not be overemphasised, noting that primary education is the bedrock upon which other levels of learning are built.

Also, Chairman of the Association of Primary School Headteacher in Ogun State (AOPSHON), Mr Tajudeen Adeosun, urged the learners to remain focused on their studies and desist from fraudulent acts capable of jeopardising their future.

Earlier, the convener of the initiative, Mrs Anuoluwapo Bajela, said the programme began in 2023 with 15 learners and had since expanded to 500 beneficiaries in Ogun State, while another 500 learners would benefit from the initiative in Osun State.

Bajela, appreciated the government for supporting the organisation in successfully carrying out the intervention, urging relevant authorities to continue with the improvement of the processes through which education is delivered to pupils, just as she disclosed some of the educational materials distributed to the beneficiaries that included; biros, pencils, rulers, exercise books and textbooks.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Oyinkansola Ajayi, of Holy Trinity Anglican School II, Gbagura, Abeokuta, expressed gratitude to the organisers for the gesture and promised to use the materials judiciously.

Some of the beneficiary schools included; Community Primary School, Gbonagun, Obantoko; UBE Model School, Olorombo; St Michael Primary School, Itoko; Oke Ona United School, Elega; Apena, Magbon, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area; Ijemo, Abeokuta South Local Government Area; St Paul School; Odeda Local Government II, Obantoko; ANLG, Oke-Ago Owu; St Peter’s, Ake; St Augustine, Adatan; OOLG, Adigbe; Holy Trinity Anglican School II; and Imo Methodist School, Oke-Yeke, among others.