- Safiu Kehinde
An Ikoyi, Lagos-based philanthropist, Oluwaseun Akapo, has donated academic materials to over 100 students across 10 public schools with Ikoyi-Obalende areas of the state.
Akapo donated the materials, which include school bags and books, under Top Scholars Initiative- a group founded by the philanthropist with the aim of motivating the students towards academic excellence.
The event which took place at Government Secondary School, Osborne-Ikoyi, had in attendance Lagos state First Lady, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Omoleye Alake, wife of Lagos Commissioner of Innovative Science and Technology.
Speaking at the event, the first lady commended Akapo for the initiative which she described as a gesture of supporting the vulnerable within Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area.
Sanwo-Olu harped on the significance of child education on societal growth and development.
“This gesture is laudable and I commend Mr. Oluwaseun Akapo for his philanthropic effort and for establishing a platform like this.
“Your various intervention and empowerment programme in the past and in particular the gesture of supporting the vulnerable within Ikoyi-Obalende Local Council Development Area will teach the younger generation great lessons and reinforce the importance of dignity in labour and service to humanity.
“The value of educating a child goes beyond personal benefit. It extends to the whole society. It extends to the whole Nigeria.
“Education enables children to reach their full potential, think critically and make informed judgement. It empowers them to take control of their lives, family, and future.
“As Nelson Mandela famously said, education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” The first lady said.
Similarly, the project initiator in his opening remark stressed on the importance of quality education in Lagos and Nigeria at large.
Akapo commended the first lady and Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for their youth-centred interventions and programmes- especially the Eko Excel which he attributed his initiative to.
“When you look at the initiatives that the first lady has decided to handle in our state, you will realize that everything is youth-oriented- the empowerment for youths, drug abuse and school initiatives.
“I will also like to appreciate the governor of the state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for the Eko Excel programme. This is one of the programmes that has kept us going.
“The reason for this programme is to encourage children in school and I believe the policies and implementation of that programme is the reason why we can actually be having a programme like this to celebrate students because we believe that quality education is the bedrock of every society.” He said.
The philanthropist maintained that the programme is beyond donating the academic materials to the students as he promised to monitor their academic performance for future support and encouragement.
“When you keep giving more, we believe you deserve more. There is always a reward for everybody. We are able to select ten from each school- both senior and junior secondary school. That is why we have 100 students here today and we intend to do more in future.
“Everyone present here, your academic performance will be monitored by us. We will try to see how we can support and encourage you in future. It doesn’t stop here today.” Akapo said.
He, however, urged the students to strive for academic excellence while reinstating the importance of education for their future development.
“Education is very important in this administration and Nigeria as a whole. With education, you have no limit. You can achieve anything you want to achieve. Education with skills empowerment, these are things you need to focus on as children.
“You need to know that education can take you to places. That is why when you look at the international sustainable development goal four, you will see that quality education is emphasized on.” He added.
On their part, the students, represented by the Head Girl of Government Senior College, Suleiman Ifeoluwa, expressed their gratitude to the foundation.
They assured the foundation of striving hard towards academic excellence.
“I want to promise you that we will always thrive and keep doing our best to make you proud.” Ifeoluwa said.
Meanwhile, the event also saw series of performance from the students, ranging from poetry presentation to brainteasers and storytelling.
Schools that benefitted from the initiative include Ilado Community Junior High School, Osborne, Government Senior and Junior College, Maroko, Wahab Folawiyo School, Akande School, and Government Secondary School, Osborne, amongst others.
Other dignitaries present at the event include SSA to Lagos State governor on LG/ Rural Development, Hon. Babatunde Durojaiye, Representative of Lagos Education District 3, Adeyemi Adeola, Brand Connect Media CEO, Okunsanye Oladele, Managing Director of Travelrite Nigeria, Lanre Yusuf amongst others.