Image caption: Wonderful couple, Rev’d Niyi-Grace Adebayo, who founded Zoe Schools twenty years ago
Mouth agape as Zoe Schools announces 13th mth salary, rewards longtime staff with fabulous prizes
Enoch O
“This man will not stop to amaze me,” a commentator who attended the 20th anniversary of the founding of Zoe Schools, Ogbomoso, Oyo state, Thursday, December 12, said while speaking with ogbomosoinsightonline.com, after the well-attended event.
The commentator who preferred anonymity added, “To decide to reward staff who have stayed with him for so long, in fact from inception, is remarkable, it is something uncommon, it is a reward for loyalty. It is something worth emulating.”
Speaking in similar vein, Alhaji Ayoade Monsur Ejide, who was the chief launcher of the school’s anniversary magazine, said, “this act (by Rev’d Niyi Adebayo, proprietor of the Zoe Schools) provokes me to tears and rethink, I am wondering if I had done enough for those who wneficiaries of the magnanimity of the proprietors, Rev’d Adebayo and his wife, Mrs. Grace, remarking, “You’re the closest person to me, in this Ogbomoso, I cannot say how much I will give to launch this magazine but I pledge N100, 000 for each of the six staff that were appreciated today.”
The beneficiaries included five staff who had served the school since inception including a sibling of Rev’d Adebayo, Adewuyi Solomon Adebayo.
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While Mr. Adewuyi Adebayo had two schools donated to him (having over 500 students/pupils, the four others received varying rewards. Two of them were given building materials including blocks and bags of cement to complete their personal houses; another, academic sponsorship of her child through university; yet another, a car; and the last person who recently transitioned to being pastor of a church is to be given ten years’ salary as pension aside fully-funded scholarship for his child. Also, each of the beneficiaries received cash rewards of N500, 000 (five hundred thousand naira).
In addition, each management staff member is to receive 13th month salary (full double salary) while other staff will receive half their monthly salary as 13th month salary.
Rev’d Adebayo submits that offering prizes to the staff who have served for 20 years under him, is “proof that Zoe Schools don’t use and dump anyone,” as he asserts, “As much as I hate disloyalty, insubordination, lies, laziness, among others I often seek the progress of the staff who serve wholeheartedly which is testament to the prizes given.”
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Rev’d Adebayo, who is the founder and lead pastor of True Worshipers Church, Oke-Anu, Ogbomoso, further informs that “designated pension accounts had been opened for all staff of Zoe Schools, who currently stand at over 200. Upon their retirements, just like public establishments, they’ll also be getting pension payments.”
Aale Okelerin, HRM Oba Samuel Babatunde Oyebamiji Amao, while commending Reverend Adebayo, says, “the vehicle of progress of Ogbomoso has kicked off, whoever has not entered it should please do.”
Alaaje of Aaje Ologo, HRH Reuben Adesina Amao Osunbiyi I also expresses his happiness, stating, “I am happy that those who are truthful are growing. Reverend Adebayo is a model, that if Nigeria can have the likes of him, she would be better.”
The monarch concludes, “From today on, I will be calling you for advice.”
Oyo state commissioner for education, science and technology, prof Abdulwahab Soliu Adelabu, represented by D.I Oladipo, inspector general of education, Zone 1, Ogbomoso, commended the school for its significant contribution to educational advancement in the state.
“I am delighted to acknowledge the significant contribution this institution has made to the education landscape of our dear state. Over the past two decades Zoe Schools has consistently demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and character development of our students in Ogbomosoland and beyond. Your dedication to providing a well-rounded education has not gone unnoticed and I commend you for your tireless efforts.”
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Zoe Schools founded on September 13, 2004 has grown in leaps and bounds even to the shock of those who derided its small, struggling beginning, to have eight branches, across four local government areas in Ogbomoso, with students/pupils at all levels (nursery/primary to college).
According to him, the school has continued to grow “to become an innovative learning ecosystem where digital technology is fantastically used to amplify teaching and learning experience for pupils.”
Parts of the innovations deployed are: introduction of intensive vocational training for students at all levels; an application software that helps simplify lesson note experience for teachers; Abacus technology for learning mathematics, posting of students’ results online; ICT-based tests, Artificial Intelligence implementation for students/pupils, launch of kid monitor chip that helps keep track of whereabouts of each student, and agricultural production efforts (both crop and livestock).
The cleric thus assures that the school is fully prepared for migration to technological and digital exploration drive though expecting approval on this aspect from the Oyo state ministry of education, science and technology.
The event which also featured commissioning of digital library and ICT centre, cutting of commemorative cake, magazine launch, display of various skills by students, had in attendance, among others the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, represented by Chief Sobaloju Otolorin and High Chief Yusuf Kasalii Oladipupo, Areago and Abese of Ogbomosoland respectively; Olugbon of Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao; Aale of Okelerin, HRM Oba Samuel Amao; Alhaji Monsur Ejide; Onipakiotan of Pakiotan; Alaaje of Aaje Ologo, HRH Reuben Amao; and Alaba of Abaa.
Also in attendance were the commissioner for education, Professor Abdulwahab Soliu Adelabu, represented by D.I Oladipo, inspector general of education, Zone 1, Ogbomoso; Onisapa of Isapa, Oba Bolarinwa; Onipontela of Pontela HRH Akinwale Akinola; Prof Emiola Nihinlola, immediate past president of Nigerian Baptist theological Seminary, Ogbomoso; Alapa of Oki-Apa, Oba Prof Akinola Akintola represented by his wife, Olori Kemi Akintola; clergymen, parents and the alumni members of the school.
