The Oyo state government has distributed educational relief materials worth Thirteen million naira to schools affected by rainstorms in the 33 Local Government Areas as well as the 35 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State.
The governor of the State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who made the distribution at the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Warehouse, Secretariat, Ibadan, said that the relief materials were donated by United Nations International Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Akure Field office for schools affected by rainstorms in the state.
Gov. Ajimobi disclosed that the distribution of the relief materials is to maintain Oyo state's leading status in education, saying that it is a pity that the natural occurrence affected the structures of schools in the state.
Some of the relief materials distributed are educational/Instructional kits, sporting kits, building materials, recreational kits amongst others.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Otunba Moses Adeyemo said "education is the bedrock of any progressive society/state and we will not relent in our continuous strides to enhance the standard and quality of education in the state."
He maintained that the educational revolution has commenced in the state with the Schools Governing Board (SGB), noting that SGBs in various schools have started improving the quality of schools’ programmes, efficiency of teachers as well as raising students’ achievements.
The Governor further stated that the distribution of these palliative materials by UNICEF became pertinent so as to ensure that the learning process is not hindered pending the time the classrooms will be renovated.
Sen. Ajimobi however appreciated UNICEF for its continuous support in complementing the state government’s activities and for its keen interest in Socio - Economic Development through Intervention programs.
He admonished Teachers, Parents and Students to rise up to the collective responsibility to raise the standard of education in the state, saying that Government cannot do it alone.
In his goodwill message, the state Head of Service, Mr. Soji Eniade, charged parents and teachers to uphold public trust in order to justify the support of the donor partners.
He advised teachers to make judicious use of the materials for the benefit of the children, saying that they (Teachers) are the bridge between the government and the parents.
While speaking, the representative of UNICEF, Akure field office, Mr. Muritala Adogi Muhammed appreciated the state government for the laudable partnership and its quest to develop education, pointing out that generational poverty can only be broken by Education.
Mr. Muhammed, who is the Education Specialist covering Southwest, stated that the mission of UNICEF is to make Oyo state a model in the Southwest and that the relief materials distributed is a model for future donations.