Jare Babatunde
As part of its activities to commemorate the 59th Independence Day of the country, The Accord Brothers (TAB), on Thursday, September 26,2019, distributed about 1,500 exercise books to students in Igbogbo township, the political capital of Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Government Development Area (LCDA).
The distribution exercise was held at the United African Methodist Church Eleja Primary School (UAMC) and AUB Primary School, Igbogbo.
According to the release by the group, which was signed by its President, Acc. Adeniji Olawale, the distribution of the exercise books is core of the group’s ‘Back to School’ project aimed at supporting education in Igbogbo.
Speaking during the distribution exercise, Acc. Adeniji Olawale emphasized that, “Children are vital to the future of our society and there is need to educate them and improve their knowledge and give them good education that can change their lives and the community they live”.
He added that, “the project was to render our little assistance in helping to build good and sound characters in the community and the nation at large”.
Pupils of primary schools in Igbogbo are the beneficiaries of the laudable initiative which was the first by TAB.
Objectives of Accord Brothers, as stated in the release, are :
“To improve the level of academics of the less privilege and alleviate illiteracy in the community”.
According to the group, “Without a conducive learning environment, it is very difficult for the children to develop a keen interest in studying. Therefore, the project was designed to help in make writing materials easily accessible to thousands of children in primary schools across Igbogbo community”.
Acc. Omobowale Dare, Secretary of the group, in his own submission at the event, stated that:
“This is an important project for our association because it helps us to reach out to so many children in the community. Also, books form an important part of every child’s learning and as such, they should readily be available to them”.
He however urged the community to support The Accord Brothers in actualizing more of such projects in the nearest future.
Mrs Ayeomoni, the Head Teacher, United African Methodist Church Eleja Primary School (UAMC), in her remarks, appreciated the Lagos State government for improving the standard of education in the state, particularly in rural areas.
She further challenged parents not to expect the government to do everything without them playing their parts, especially in educating their children and wards.
Speaking on behalf of other students, the Head Boy of UAMC Primary School, Igbogbo, thanked the group for showing concerns in their educational development and future.
Engr. Oladipo Adewuyi, a teacher, commended the group for giving back to their society and also charged parents to join hands with government and others in developing public schools to a better standard.
Meanwhile, residents of Igbogbo have pleaded with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community Leaders, Development Associations and philanthropists to work towards the building of a new Secondary School for Igbogbo Community.
This, according to the residents, would solve the problems of congestion and over population in the existing secondary schools in the community and improve standard of education in Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA.
The group, however, assured to engaged in more of such laudable to aid the government’s efforts in developing education and build a better community with children as its major focus.
The membership of Accord Brothers, which was established in 2013 with seven founding members , has increased to eleven while there is prospect for further additions in the years ahead.
