The Olowu of Owu-Abeokuta, Oba (Prof.) Saka Adelola Matemilola has wooed teachers in Ogun State to make use of facilities of newly established electronic library at Owu Community Library to equip themselves with the required skills in Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Oba Matemilola who made the call on Thursday at his Oke Ago-Owu,Abeokuta Palace during a media briefing marking the commencement of activities for first anniversary of his coronation, also revealed that sixty (60) students selected from African Church Grammar School ,Ita-Iyalode, Gateway Secondary School, Ita-Iyalode, Methodist High School, Ogbe and Saint Peter's College,Olomore were beneficiaries of the Olowu Scholars Foundation's Scholarship scheme which covered payment of their fees for the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination and United Tertiary Institution Examinations (UTME)
The monarch said that discussion was ongoing with the Ogun State branch of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) for teachers to make use of the facilities at the e- library established within a year at the palace, to enhance their capacity to teach their students
Oba Matemilola revealed that the Olowu Scholars programme would establish a teaching centre at Ewekoro in addition to the existing one at the African Church Grammar School, Ita-Iyalode, Abeokuta with teachers in eight different subjects preparing students for WASSCE and JAMB examinations
He added that Solace Foundation, another Olowu Initiative has collaborating with SixthSense Foundation on Literacy Development projects , to improve the reading, writing and speaking skills among school children
"We have initiated and facilitated collaboration between a consortium of Nigerian higher institutions including University of Ibadan, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeoktuta , Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye, Bells University, Gotta, Crescent University Abeoktuta, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeoktuta, Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade and a collection of top rated institutions in USA , Princeton University, NJ, Rutgers University, NJ, Pennsylvania State University, State College, University of Maryland, College Park, AES Abroad, Chicago in the areas of collaboration including research, teaching, students exchange exchanges , curriculum development, agricultural support partnership ", Oba Matemilola stated
Solace Foundation according to him, "has instituted and organized regular excursion trips to key industries for senior seconday school students to compliment their classroom training
The Owu-Paramount ruler also disclosed that water facilities and computer were provided to Abeokta North Local Government Primary school, Oke Ago-Owu while Igosun Primary Healthcare Centre was upgraded and provided with basic facilities to enable it function properly
On Skill Acquisition and Economic Empowerment, the Olowu said Solace Foundation in partnership with Obasanjo Farms, Owiwi, Mr Fish Foundation, Priceless Jewel Foundation, M.A Egberongbe Foundation and God's Promise in Action Foundation organized training on fish farming and agriculture while was still ongoing with Ogun State Fish Farmers and OKD Agro-Services Limited to access World Bank Assisted programme for empowerment of trainee groups in shoe making, fashion designing, graphics designing, soap making, cake baking and head-ties and make-up skills
Oba Matemilola listed several other empowerment and community development projects across the entire Abeokuta cutting across other Egbaland divisions of Ake, Gbagura and Oke-Ona
There was also health talk on foods and nutrition conducted by Chief (Mrs) Bola Obasanjo, wife of former president of Nigeria and Balogun of Owu, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo
Also speaking, Chairman of the Olowu first anniversary coronation committee, the Oganla of Owu, Johnson Olu-Fatoki rolled out other activities for the coronation anniversary which includes health advocacy, medical outreach, Youth programme and interfaith Thanks giving service all within first day on Thursday within the palace
According to him, on Friday, August 4, there will be installation of chiefs, launching of the Owu palace development project which continues till Saturday August 5 when there will be unveiling of CD on Oba Prof Saka Adelola Matemilola/Olowu Royal Anthem.by 1pm while entertainment of guests hold at .
Olowu Palace where Governor Dapo Abiodun is the special guest as former governor , Sen. Ibikunle Amosun amongst other dignitaries
One Matemilola is a Prof, no wonder his interest in education and teachers. Modern obas, modern ideas.
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