Ogun State Government and educationists including Dr. Taofeeq Gasali and Dr. Jamiu Folarin , a lecturer at Mass Communication Department, Crescent University, Abeokuta have lauded the Back-to-School initiative of the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation for supporting 650 learners in selected primary and secondary schools across the State
They gave commendation in their separate remarks on Wednesday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital during the formal presentation of free schoolbags, notebooks and other writing materials to over 120 learners of the 650 beneficiaries of the fourth edition of the foundation's Back-to-School initiative in the state
The State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu was full of appreciation to the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation for sustaining the initiative which according to him, has continued to compliment the efforts of government at providing similar free writing materials to learners in public schools in the state
The Commissioner represented by Abeokuta South Zonal Education Officer, Alhaji Yusuf Olatunji urged corporate organizations and other wealthy individuals to emulate the support given so far by the foundation to jointly assist government in sustaining conducive teaching and learning environments in public schools across the State
He assured the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation of continuous support while urging the beneficiaries to make good use of items given to them to justify the huge investment in their educational growth
Similarly Chairman of the event, Dr. Taofeek Gasali who lauded the initiative of the foundation, urged government to continue to invest in the development of the needed infrastructure in the education sector, particularly in the area of Information and Communication Technology, describing education as an engine room of the economy of any nation.
He then admonished parents to be more alive to their responsibilities by providing the necessities for their children's needs in schools
Also Dr. Folarin, speaking as a guest lecturer on the topic "The Value of Formal Education In Personal Development", appreciated the foundation for its commitment to supporting the educational needs of the less privileged learners, since 2022
He urged learners to begin to see education beyond just acquiring paper certificates, saying education is a value addition to making the society much better and conducive for everyone to live
The seasoned broadcaster cum academic enjoined the learners to embrace education with seriousness, discipline, and sincerity.
"Do not let distractions pull you away. Be determined to be among those whose knowledge benefits themselves, their families, their communities, and humanity at large", he charged
"We must therefore support initiatives like Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, and advocate policies that make education accessible and affordable. Parents, teachers, policymakers, and students all have a role to play", he concluded
The Ogun State Co-ordinator of Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation, Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Kewulere Anifowose had earlier in his opening speech on behalf of the Executive Director of the foundation, Prince Sulayman Olagunju, appreciated donors and other corporate organizations for their support to the sustenance of the Back-to-School Programme initiative while calling on them to continue to increase financial support for the foundation to enable more learners benefit from the initiative from Egba, Yewa, Ijebu and Remo zones in the state
"I call upon our sponsors and partners to continue diverting a significant
portion of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to this noble cause, so we can expand our reach and touch more lives in the future".
The State Co-ordinator said this year's event had improved on the previous the three editions of the initiative in terms of more donations of educational materials which enable more learners to benefit
"This year’s educational support initiative represents a clear improvement on previous editions. With donations of school bags, exercise books, and other
essential learning materials, we have been able to attract more support from corporate bodies and individual donors."
He pledged the foundation's to readiness to always compliment the efforts of government at enhancing the learning of pupils in schools for them to excel in educational pursuits
Anifowose listed those who contributed greatly to the success of the fourth edition of the Back-to- School project to include The Merciful Foundation, Houston Texas; Perfect Score Educational Services; Al-BarakahTrading Store, Sapon; Allahu Lattef Trading Store, ARC-View Investment Limited, HOB Medical Center, LEKFAD
Medical Center, and Alhaji Dhikrullah Osidele amongst other donors
Similarly representative of Merciful Foundation, Thanni Babatunde Ahmad charged the beneficiaries to make good use of educational materials by being serious with their studies, so as to encourage the foundation to do more for them
High point of the event included presentation of educational items school bags, note books and other writing items to learners from selected schools in Abeokuta
The schools included Ilugun High School, Egba-Odeda High School, Catholic Comprehensive High School, Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta Grammar School, Igbein Primary School, Asero High School, Nawair-Ud-Deen High School, Saint Louis College, Ikijja Junior School,Yewa Central College, Igbore High School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School as well as MACJOB Grammar School and Saje High School
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