Some stakeholders in the educational sector in Ibadanland and Oyo State on Saturday seek the prioritisation of child education by government at all levels.
The stakeholders expressed this desire at the DAKA Foundation back to school initiative which witnessed presentation of school materials such as Exercise Books, Writing Materials, Mathematical Sets and School bags to about 500 indigent students held at Lagelu Grammar School, Oremeji, Agugu in Ibadan North East local government area, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
Speaking while delivering his keynote address on Saturday, Chief Executive Officer/ Founder of DAKA Foundation, Dr Kazeem Adesina Abidikugu popularly known as KSO called on governments at all level to prioritise investments in quality schooling and vocational training, which he said is crucial for sustainable development.
Abidikugu, a Nigerian United Kingdom based psychiatric consultant, who is also Agba-Akin Bobajiro of Ibadanland said education is pivotal to alleviating poverty in developing countries, saying this is probably the only guarantee path for individuals and communities to break the shackles of intergenerational poverty.
According to him, “The importance of education in poverty alleviation has also been clearly emphasised by world organisations like World Bank and UNESCO as critical in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“Only educated populations contribute to innovation, entrepreneurship, and skilled workforce to drive sustainable economic development.
“Education unlocks opportunities, drives economic growth, and empowers communities, making it a cornerstone to lifting our communities, state, and nation out of poverty.
“Distributing these educational materials to parents for onward transmission to their children today is my modest contribution to backing parents and students alike in their academic pursuits as they resume schooling.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the event, Alhaji Muideen Inakoju commended the DAKA Foundation for its initiative to help the students.
Inakoju who is a former member of the Oyo State Assembly said education is very important and urge both governments and well to do Nigerians to invest in education.
He said the people appreciate the good gesture of the DAKA Foundation in its assistance for the less privileged over the years.
“We commended the DAKA Foundation for its efforts in assisting the less privileged in terms of provision of school materials, Scholarship to indigent students and provision for free health initiatives. We pray to the Almighty Allah to continue to guide the foundation as it offers relief to several people in Ibadanland and Oyo State”.
Also Speaking, Alhaji Yinka Olona who was a Special Guest at the occasion urged other well to do Nigerians to emulate the good gesture of the DAKA Foundation, saying this becomes necessary because of the harsh economic situation in the country.
“DAKA Foundation is a renown Foundation in Oyo State and has been alleviating the conditions of the less privileged people in our society. It has been part of their social responsibility which has enhanced the living conditions of the less privileged.
“I want the Foundation not to relent in its efforts to help indigent students and poor parents. The foundation should continuing so this for as many people as possible because of the level of poverty in the country.
“Education is an important area of our lives. We call on governments to come.to.the aid of indigent students and improve the Child education in the country. There should be a collaboration between government and the private sector in the area of education. This is necessary and very important. Our youth are our future”.
The Director of DAKA Foundation, Professor Olumide Olajide lamented the education situation in the country.
He called on the Federal Government to.declare state of emergency in the education sector, saying the situation of education in Nigeria is shambolic.
Prof. Olajide said this is why DAKA Foundation put emphasis on improving the situation of education in Nigeria through provisions of school materials and scholarships to students..
“If I am a governor or president, I will declare state of emergency in the education sector. Look at the situation of our schools in Oyo State. You will be surprised about the huge money the government has been spending on Primary and Secondary Schools. May be the money is not getting to where it is destined for.
“Well meaning Nigerians should come to the aid of education.There should be community initiatives towards assisting our education institutions “, Olajide said.
The Coordinator, DAKA Foundation Education Initiative, Comrade Abiola Williams expressed appreciation for the turn out at the programme, saying the programme has achieved its objectives as many students were reached out to through their parents.
“It is wonderful. We have been able to achieve our goal. Our major focus is to reach out to the students and we have done that through their parents.
“We want to build the future and we believe education is the best way to help the youth to grow in the right direction. I urged the beneficiaries to also dream of reciprocating this to others in future”, Williams said .
The occasion was witnessed by a large turnout of bigwigs in Ibadanland including Pa Tiamiyu Abidikugu, Alhaji Mulikat Abidikugu, Mogaji Adewale Badmus; Pastor Oyelakin Sunday and Hon. Idayat Olayanju among others.
