Ogbomoso Development Association gifts free notebooks to 600 primary school pupils

Ogbomoso Development Association gifts free notebooks to 600 primary school pupils

Lanre OKE

Ogbomoso Development Association (ODA) Wednesday put smiles on the faces of about 600 primary school pupils in Ogbomoso zone, Oyo state, as customized notebooks were gifted to the pupils.

The gesture was part of the association’s resolve to boost indigent school children’s pursuit of education. Pupils from selected schools in the five local government areas in Ogbomoso zone were beneficiaries.

President of the association, Sir Chief Gabriel Olusola Olaleye JP, said they were focused on the development of Ogbomoso in many facets, one of which he disclosed is to support the educational advancement of school children.

Sir Olaleye who is credited with the establishment of a famous spare parts market in Ilorin, Kwara state capital, said further that the association is planning a scholarship scheme for indigent students, noting that the founding of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) was inspired by the association.

“We are focused on the development of our community,” he maintained. “This programme is to assist parents in funding the education of their children. We need to make an impact. ODA played a significant role in the establishment of LAUTECH, we have been doing this and we will intensify efforts in developmental projects. Next year, we are looking at instituting a scholarship programme for indigent students. We will not relent in assisting the community.”

Olaleye who was inaugurated as president last year commended the developmental initiatives of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, especially the 25-year-development plan, declaring, “We support the plan wholeheartedly. The Kabiyesi has re-ignited in us the fire to seek the progress of the town.”

He recalled how he became the initiator of a popular motor spare parts in Ilorin, saying if he could achieve that in Ilorin, as president of ODA he was poised to reenact greater success in Ogbomoso. “I was instrumental in the founding of the Kwara state motor spare parts market in Ilorin during the tenure of Governor Shaaba Lafiagi. I founded it despite opposition then. I was rewarded for it so we will continue to seek to contribute to the development of our community.”

Pa Amos Adekojo Ajekiigbe, who joined the association in 1986 and served as assistant social secretary between 1987 and 1994, and PRO, 1994 to 1998, going down memory lane, informed the formation of the group was conceived in 1975 by youths most of whom were educated and who were not comfortable joining the existing clubs like Egbe Tepamose, Egbe Irepodun, and were burning with desire to contribute to the progress of the town. “They formed the group to foster unity and to create an association for the youth,” he said. “Most associations then were peopled by elderly people. Osupa Baptist Day School hosted the first meeting. Late Prof Ogunronbi was the first president (protem). Pa D.F. Oroniran was the first protem secretary. Prof Adedibu also was a member. Dr. Saka Adegbite Balogun later emerged as first substantive president while late Alhaji Olatunji Muhammed was vice president. Baba Oroniran became substantive secretary.”

Pa Ajekiigbe, a member of several other socio-cultural associations in Ogbomoso, charged youths to “dedicate their lives to community service by joining or founding groups devoted to the development of the town.”

He noted ODA was populated by many vibrant youths in the past however lamenting, “but youths today are not interested. But we will continue to focus on how to assist pupils/students, and enlighten students in higher institutions, especially on acquiring vocational skills.”

Also, Mrs. Olu Oyelade, a former chairperson of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) of Oyo state, urged the pupils to “face their studies because there is a great benefit in it. We should cultivate the habit of helping the town. It’s our association that laid the foundation for LAUTECH by writing the first letter that birthed it. We are not rich but we contribute to help our town. This is our first time organizing a programme like this. I am charging the pupils to develop the spirit of giving back to society in the future. We plan free education in the future. Students, face your studies, there is gain in it.”

Principal of Anglican Grammar School, where the programme was held, Mr. Abiodun Olowe, lauded ODA for “being involved in the development of Ogbomoso over the years. It is among the associations one can reckon with. I congratulate the pupils, you should also remember to be givers in the future.”

Teachers of some of the schools that benefitted praised the association urging members not to relent.

Mr. Lasisi Taofeeq Adeniyi, a teacher of FOMWAN Basic School Ajaawa, said, “We are happy there is still an association like this extending such a gesture to pupils.”

Mrs. Oloyede, Ijeru Baptist Basic School, stated, “We are happy about this. But there are many other pupils who deserve this kind of privilege. We wish other groups will come in too so as to capture more pupils.“

Mrs. Adebimpe Victoria Bosede, Obada Methodist Basic School 1, Odo-Oba, said, “Many pupils don’t have books so this is a welcome development. We thank the association.”

Meanwhile, Mrs. Felicia Abake Areo, general secretary of ODA, who disclosed she joined two years ago, reiterated while speaking with ogbomosoinsightonline.com that the organization is borne by the desire to contribute to the development of Ogbomosoland, adding that they decided to capture primary school pupils since they discovered that most of such education support programmes are concentrated in secondary schools.

“ODA is focused on the development of Ogbomoso in many facets among which is educational development. But we are only complementing the government’s efforts. We decided to assist primary school pupils because we discovered that most of such programmes are concentrated in secondary schools. We wish to do more, and so we encourage others to join us so we can have more funds to commit to such programmes.”

Mrs. Areo similarly admitted, “This aligns with the Oba Ghandi’s 25-year-development plan. We plan to do more like building blocks of classrooms for schools. We repaired a vandalized government’s library at Sunsun. Also, we have been making efforts to see to the taking off of the Police Secondary School, Odanbon, and also made contributions to the Adeseun/Pivotal ICT Centre at Oke-Owode.”