Mr. Sikiru Sanda, Chairman of Egbeda Local Government, Oyo State, on Tuesday, flagged off the distribution of free exercise books to pupils of 77 public primary schools in the area.
In his address, Sanda stated that the initiative, tagged ‘Back to School Initiative’, was a testament to the council’s commitment to equipping pupils with nthe ecessary tools for educational development.
He explained that no fewer than 70,000 free exercise books would be distributed at the commencement of the program, assuring that all pupils of the 77 public primary schools across the local government would benefit from the gesture.
He added that providing free exercise books would ease the financial burden on parents, enabling them to focus on other crucial aspects of their children’s education and well-being.
The council boss emphasized that his administration has made children’s education a priority, highlighting the recent payment of WAEC and UTME fees for 100 indigent students.
He also revealed that the council is currently constructing a six-classroom block with two offices at Community High School, Osengere, adding that the project will soon be completed.
Sanda urged parents and teachers to ensure their children utilise the free exercise books judiciously, saying the gesture is an investment in children’s future and in the Egbeda community in general.
Dr Nureni Adeniran, Chairman of Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), applauded Sanda for the initiative, saying, “it is in line with Gov. Seyi Makinde’s administration educational policy.”
Adeniran urged other council chairmen in the state to emulate the good gesture, towards making basic education accessible to all children of school-age in the state.
Mr Akintunde Olajide, lawmaker representing Egbeda Constituency at the Oyo State House of Assembly, also commended the efforts of the council chairman for the gesture.
Olajide urged Sanda not to relent in carrying out good policies and programmes that would benefit all residents of the local government.
The event featured a symbolic handover of exercise books to pupils from selected public schools in the local government area.
