Mariam Akinloye & Austin Onah (SIWES Student)
The Phase 2 of the educational support initiative tagged, “Back to – School” by I – Heroes resumed at the Methodist Primary School, Gberigbe under Ikorodu Local Government on Tuesday.
100 school bags and writing materials pupils were distributed to excited pupils, an act which generated gratitude from pupils and their teachers, who noted that the items would motivate pupils and ease the financial burden on parents.
The humanitarian and developmental group of like-minded professionals committed to community development, continued with the gesture of distributing the remaining parts of the 1000 bags, exercise books (four per student), biro and pencil to pupils across Ikorodu Division.
I – Heroes had at the beginning of the academic session visited UMCA Eleja Primary School, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Tokedejoye Primary School, Ikorodu West LCDA, and UNA Primary School, Imota, where they distributed 100 school bags and writing materials per school. The initiative is designed to curb absenteeism by ensuring that any lack of school materials does not hinder children from attending classes.
In courtesy, the team visited the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat to interface with the Chairman, Hon. Adedayo Ladega, who was not available, but they were attended to by his Chief of Staff, Mr Moshood Ajisebutu, who commended the initiative and urged members of the group to continue with their good work.
Speaking earlier at the council, Barr. Adeleke Bakare had explained that phase one of the exercise saw the group going to Igbogbo/Baiyeku, Ikorodu West and Imota LCDAs to support pupils with educational materials.
“At this time, we are focusing on supporting primary school pupils. Our aim is to contribute to the development of our division, especially by helping the younger ones academically and providing assistance in areas of need. We are concentrating on primary schools by giving out writing materials and school bags.
“For this second phase, we are starting with Ikorodu Central. Today (Tuesday), we are going to Methodist Primary School, Gberigbe, to distribute another set of school bags and writing materials. Tomorrow, we will be at Ikorodu North, and the day after, we will proceed to Ijede to do the same.
“We decided to visit the Ikorodu LG chairman to register our presence formally, form an alliance, and inform him of the work we are doing. This is a yearly programme, and by next year, we will be back again to seek his support and any assistance he may wish to offer.”
Mr Olanshile Majolagbe, I – Heroes President addressing pupils and staff of Methodist Primary School, Gberigbe, during their visit said that the group is focusing on education to address some of the challenges facing children from attending schools.
“The association I-Heroes is made up of like-minded people who have come together to give back to society. Recently, we have carried out many impactful projects. We have visited the General Hospital to donate bed sheets and pillowcases. We have gone to schools like Ipakodo to donate educational materials. We have carried out traffic projects and even water projects.
“This year, we came up with this new initiative because we noticed that some children roam around during school hours. We sat down and asked ourselves: what could be the reason?
“We realised that for some of these children, it may be the lack of basic school items. That is why, this year, we decided to support them by giving out school bags and writing materials to 1,000 students across Ikorodu Division,” he said.
He added: “Now, we are in the second phase of the project. Here in Ikorodu Central, we are at Methodist Primary School, Gberigbe. Tomorrow (Wednesday), we will be going to Ikorodu North, and the day after, we will proceed to Ijede to donate there as well.
“Today (Tuesday) is the turn of Methodist Primary School, Gberigbe, and that is why we are here — to meet you and to distribute these items to our children.”
Miss Kafilat Lambo, from the Social Mobilisation Section of the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Ikorodu while appreciating I – Heroes gesture affirmed that some pupils because of lack of finance use polytene nylon to carry their writing materials.
She said that the intervention of the group would go a long way in encouraging the pupils to focus on their education.
Sunday Azeez, a Primary Five pupil, speaking after receiving his set of educational materials, said: “I am happy to receive a school bag, exercise books, pen and pencil. I want to say thank you to I-Heroes.”
Also, Elijah Akapo, a Primary Four pupil, also commenting, said: “I want to say thank you I-Heroes for what you have done. I’m very grateful.”
Comrade Boluwatiwi Olorunyo, Coordinator, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ikorodu Local Government, commending the group also charged beneficiaries to make use of the educational materials in developing themselves to the level that they too would be able to give back to others.
“I-heroes are supporting you with these materials because they have once been in your shoes. That is why they consider your school to be part of the benefiting schools.
“As you are receiving the gift, make good use of it, face your studies which is the most important thing so that you too can give back to others. The key is to face your studies, be determined, and know what you are doing.”
Other members of I – Heroes that were also part of the visit were Sanni Ibrahim, Seun Elesho, Godwin Olaoluwa Oke, General Secretary.
The team continues the second phase distribution today with visits to Ikorodu North and Ijede on Thursday.
