The Executive Chairman of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Hon. (Barr.) Oluyemisi Adenike Rosiji, has expanded her administration’s education intervention with the launch of the second edition of the Back to School Initiative, providing essential learning materials to pupils across public primary schools in the council area.
The initiative was flagged off on Monday at Ebenezer African Church Primary School 1 & 2, Beckley Estate, Ahmadiyah, with the distribution of school bags, exercise books, pens, pencils, erasers, rulers and other educational materials to pupils.
The exercise is expected to continue across public primary schools within Ojokoro LCDA in the coming days.
Speaking at the ceremony, Rosiji said the decision to sustain the initiative was informed by the positive feedback received from the first edition, particularly from parents, teachers and pupils.
She said the intervention had helped reduce some of the financial pressure on families while also boosting pupils’ enthusiasm for learning.
According to the chairman, the second edition was therefore designed as a continuation of an intervention that had demonstrated practical value to beneficiaries.
“No child should be held back from learning because of the inability of a parent to provide basic educational materials,” Rosiji said.
She said the Back to School Initiative was part of her administration’s broader commitment to education and human-capital development, alongside other interventions such as the provision of free GCE and UTME forms, vocational skills training and youth empowerment programmes.
Rosiji said the administration would continue to prioritise investment in children, describing them as critical to the future development of Ojokoro.
She also commended teachers for their role in shaping the pupils, noting that their discipline, comportment and behaviour reflected the efforts being made within the education system.
The chairman urged the pupils to take their studies seriously, respect their teachers, listen to their parents and remain disciplined, while warning them against truancy and other activities capable of undermining their future.
She told the pupils that the educational materials provided should serve as a reminder that their community believes in their abilities and is committed to supporting their development.
The Council Manager of Ojokoro LCDA, Dr Idowu Daisi Banjoko, commended Rosiji for what he described as notable interventions in the education sector.
Banjoko said the chairman’s education-focused programmes had attracted attention beyond the LCDA, disclosing that a national education body had listed Rosiji among dignitaries to be honoured in recognition of her contributions to education.
Also speaking, the Education Secretary, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Mr S. K. Idowu, commended the council chairman for sustaining her attention to education.
Idowu said he had received positive feedback from parents about the various interventions, particularly their role in reducing the financial burden on families and encouraging pupils to remain committed to their studies.
He, however, urged teachers to intensify their efforts in teaching and academic development, expressing the hope that the winner of the forthcoming Spelling Bee Competition would emerge from his jurisdiction.
The Supervisor for Education, Hon. Busari Nasiri, urged the pupils to use the materials responsibly and remain dedicated to their studies.
He said making proper use of the educational items and taking their education seriously would be an appropriate way for the pupils to appreciate the intervention.
Speaking on behalf of the pupils, Miss Temitope Oshikoya thanked Rosiji for her continued support and provision of educational materials, while praying for the success of her administration.
The pupils of Ebenezer African Church Primary School 1 & 2 also staged a colourful cultural display in honour of the council chairman and her team.
The ceremony ended on a lively note as the pupils displayed the school bags, books and other materials they received, expressing excitement over the continuation of the Back to School Initiative.