Gafar Alabi,

In a way of showing appreciation to his people for standing by him, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Evang. Olalekan Ifede, has given back to his alma mater, Wesley Nursery and Primary School, Ilisan-Remo and as well made other provisions for some other schools in that community in Ikenne Local Government Area of the State.

Ifede who visited his alma mater with sizable educational materials, that included; 30 sets of school uniforms, 22 packs of pencils, 30 pairs of sandals, 12 packs of exercise books, cleaners and biros to each of the beneficiary.

Speaking during the presentation, the SUBEB Chairman said the gesture was aimed at supporting the vision and mission of SUBEB, particularly the goal of ensuring that no child is out of school and that every learner was able to read, write and communicate effectively.

He said the initiative was also intended to set an example for others to emulate, stressing that no learner should be deprived of basic educational materials.

“I don’t want to hear that a learner does not have a biro or pencil. The materials are not meant for a particular pupil, they are for any learner who is in need,” he said.

He urged teachers to intensify their enrolment drive by visiting communities in Ikenne Local Government to identify and enrol out-of-school children.

He stressed that no teacher should demand money from parents before enrolling their children in public schools, just as he appreciated teachers and headteachers for their cooperation and commitment to the Board’s vision, while calling on well-meaning individuals, politicians and other stakeholders to emulate the initiative by supporting basic education in their communities.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Education Secretary, Ikenne Local Government, Hon. Olusesan Odumusi, described Ifede as a good leader and lover of children who had always been committed to improving their education and welfare, commended the SUBEB Chairman for laying a solid foundation for the development of basic education in the State.

Also speaking, the Ward 9 Councillor in Ilisan, Hon. Adekunle Oduwale and the Council’s Supervisor for Education, Hon. Jamiu Sonuga, commended the initiative, noting that it would contribute significantly to improving the learning experience of pupils and applauded Ifede for his consistency in positively impacting lives, particularly those of young people.

The Headteacher of Wesley Nursery and Primary School, Ifetayo Komolafe, expressed appreciation to the SUBEB Chairman for the gesture and assured that the materials would be distributed to deserving learners without bias.

Responding on behalf of the pupils, Pelumi Aberuagba of Wesley Nursery and Primary School and AbdulAzeem Bello of St. Barnabas Primary School, Ilisan-Remo, thanked the Chairman for the donation and prayed for continued blessings and strength for him to do more.

Other schools visited during the exercise included; African Church Primary School, Ansar-Ud-Deen School and FOMWAN Nursery and Primary School, all in Ilisan-Remo.