The Chairman of Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board, Hon. Ademola Ige, and other political and community leaders have commended the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abass Adigun Agboworin, for distributing 12,000 educational materials to 19 schools across the two local government areas.
The materials comprised 500 chairs, 10,600 notebooks and 900 textbooks, in an intervention aimed at supporting teaching and learning and reducing the burden of educational expenses on pupils, students and their parents.
In addition to the educational materials, Agboworin presented a total of ₦50,000 to the beneficiary schools to support their transportation expenses for the distribution exercise.
The distribution took place on Monday at the Old Barracks, Kajola-Irede Street, Oju-Irora Hospital Academy, Ibadan, under a programme facilitated by Agboworin in collaboration with the National Productivity Centre.
Of the materials distributed, schools in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area received 250 chairs, 5,200 notebooks and 450 textbooks, while those in Ibadan North-East received 250 chairs, 5,400 notebooks and 450 textbooks.
The textbooks are intended primarily for school libraries, while the notebooks and chairs are to support classroom activities.
Speaking at the event, Agboworin said the intervention was part of his efforts to complement government programmes and assist families, particularly those struggling to provide basic educational materials for their children.
He said the selection of the beneficiary schools did not mean that other schools had been excluded permanently, noting that there were more than 40 schools across the two local government areas.
Agboworin said, “The schools picked today were not selected because they are the best. We have over 40 schools in the two local governments, and everybody will be given the opportunity to benefit.
“If we are re-elected, we will do another batch in the next Assembly. These books are not for sale. The textbooks are meant for the libraries.”
The lawmaker said his personal experience as a student, when he struggled to afford textbooks and exercise books, had influenced his decision to support education in the constituency.
“I used to be a student in this constituency. I used to be one of those who did not have enough textbooks. I did not have money to buy textbooks or exercise books. So, if I am in a position of authority to do this, why not?” he said.
Agboworin also disclosed that he had been supporting students through a year-round after-school tutorial programme in Ibadan North-East and South-East.
According to him, he personally employs and pays teachers who provide additional lessons to students in the two local government areas.
“In the constituency today, among us, no one has a programme for the students. I am the only one that has after-school lesson hours, both North-East and South-East,” he said.
He explained that the lessons were not restricted to holiday periods but continued throughout the year.
The lawmaker also highlighted his interventions in healthcare and infrastructure, saying he had supported periodic medical outreaches covering conditions such as malaria, diabetes and high blood pressure.
He said the medical outreaches were taken to churches, mosques and markets within the constituency to bring basic healthcare services closer to residents.
On infrastructure, Agboworin said his interventions had included roads, streetlights and solar lighting projects, among others.
He said his return from the United States to Nigeria and subsequent entry into politics was motivated by his desire to contribute to the development of his community.
“I left the United States to come back home to join politics because I want to do something for our people,” he said.
The Project Supervisor representing the National Productivity Centre, Aluko Ayodeji, commended the quality of the educational materials provided for the schools.
Ayodeji, who inspected the books, chairs and other materials, said the quality of the items was satisfactory.
“The quality of the books, chairs and tables is great. It speaks volumes about the Hon. himself,” he said.
He urged the beneficiary schools to properly maintain the materials, stressing that responsible use would encourage further interventions.
Ayodeji also called on stakeholders to support initiatives aimed at improving learning conditions in schools.
Also while speaking, the chairman, Oyo State Local Government Staff Pension Board, Hon Ademola Ige commended Agboworin for maintaining contact with his constituents and supporting educational development.
Ige said the lawmaker had remained connected to the grassroots despite serving in the National Assembly.
“We have never had it so good like this in this constituency. We thank the Governor for giving us Agboworin. I am happy he has not disappointed us,” he said.
“He has been living up to standards. He has never been found wanting. We have many Federal Representatives, but he has not disconnected himself from the grassroots.”
Ige urged the beneficiary schools to ensure that the materials were put to effective use and expressed the expectation that other schools would benefit from subsequent phases of the programme.
The Chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan North-East, Alhaji Isiaka Fatokun (Abuye), also commended the initiative and urged the beneficiary schools to ensure that the materials were used for their intended purposes.
The Ibadan North-East Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oladejo Sunday, who was represented by Badiji Oluseyi, called for continued collaboration among government representatives, teachers and schools to improve learning conditions.
Similarly, the Ibadan South-East Chairman of the NUT, Taofeek Adediran, represented by Yetunde Oguntola, expressed appreciation for the intervention and urged the beneficiary schools to make effective use of the materials.
The Educational Secretary for Ibadan South-East, Olumide James, and his Ibadan North-East counterpart, Hon. George Akintunde, were also present at the event.
Other dignitaries at the programme included Hon. Abiodun Adedoja Ekolo, Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Oyo State Energy, and Hon. Akinleye, Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Development.
The 11 beneficiary schools listed in Ibadan South-East were Ibadan Christ Apostolic Grammar School (ICAGS), Ibadan City Grammar School, Eleta High School, Ibadan Grammar School, Anglican School, Molete, St. Luke School, Molete, Community Grammar School, Kudeti, IMG Alake, Bolawal Nursery and Primary School, Green Valley Nursery and Primary School, and Four Square Nursery and Primary School.
In Ibadan North-East, the eight beneficiary schools were Loyola College, HLA Agodi, Bashorun High School, Oluyoro Girls High School, St. Cyprian Primary School, Lagelu Grammar School, St. John Secondary School and Olubadan High School.
The intervention brings the total number of listed educational materials distributed under the programme to 12,000, comprising 500 chairs, 10,600 notebooks and 900 textbooks.
