Kunle Adelabu
-Five pupils get educational materials, #60,000 each
The royal family in Ikorodu has facilitated scholarship for five outstanding Primary Six pupils across the Ikorodu Division and also provided them with educational materials.
The lucky beneficiaries were presented with N50, 000 cheque each facilitated by the royal family from the Dr Temitope Oshikoya Education Endowment Fund, to mark the 4th edition of the annual Olori Kudirat Shotobi Christmas party for Children held within the main hall of the Ayangbure palace in Ikorodu on Thursday, December 24, 2020.
The five pupils – Akingbemisola Mary Oluwadarasimi (Estate Model Primary Nursery & Primary School, Ikorodu), Ejioye Jumiloju (Jamatul Islamiyyah Primary School, Ikorodu), Oladele Mary Oluwatoyin (U.P. E Ajaguro Primary School, Ikorodu), Abdulrahmon Taiwo (C.P.S Agodo Aara School, Ikorodu) and Onabanjo Ayomide, Anglican Primary School, Offin – Ile, Ikorodu, were also presented with N10, 000 cash each by the royal family and backpacks comprising of mathematical sets and dictionaries.
The annual elaborate celebrations, which usually holds on December 24th within the Ayangbure palace, was without fanfare and crowd this year in compliance with the COVID-19 protocols.
In her message, Olori Kudirat Abosede Shotobi, the treasure of Ikorodu Kingdom, said that the annual party usually avails the royal family and other dignitaries in Ikorodu the opportunity to interact and share love with young ones in the spirit of the yuletide.
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the 4th edition of the Olori Christmas party for the young children in Ikorodu Kingdom. This is an annual event that avails us the privilege of socializing with the little ones.
“Christmas is a time meant for sharing and spreading love among neighbours, friends, families and acquaintances”.
While announcing scholarships for five pupils, Olori Shotobi thanked his husband and the donor of the scholarship money.
She also charged beneficiaries to strive harder to break new grounds by focusing on their education.
“In order to mark this year’s event, it gives me pleasure to announce the award of scholarship to the following.
“I want to appreciate my husband, HRM Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, for his support for this project. May your reign continue to be peaceful.
“My appreciation also goes to all individuals and corporate sponsors for your gifts both in cash and kind. My special thanks to Dr Temitope Oshikoya Education Endowment Fund, being ably managed by STL Trustees.
“The year 2020 has been an eventful year of ups and downs. The impact of COVID – 19 on the economic and household well-being has been traumatizing, but we give God the glory that we overcame it.
“This event is an opportunity to unwind and release the tension of the past eleven months.
“Little children, I want to encourage you that you need not relent in your endeavour in the face of challenges. One take away lesson from the COVID – 19 pandemic is the resilient spirit of the human race to come back better in the face of challenges”, she charged.
“I implore you to be resolute in all your undertakings, most especially in your academic pursuit. The pandemic also provided better opportunities for learning in schools. I, therefore, challenge you not to allow all the new learning platforms and styles learnt during the pandemic slip away.
“Also, do not let down your guards, the pandemic is still here with us, make sure you observe the protocols to protect yourself and your loved ones”, Olori Shotobi said.
His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, in his royal remarks, commended the Education Secretary, Ikorodu Local Government, teachers and parents for their commitment and dedication to the educational growth of children in Ikorodu division.
He assured teachers that they will get their reward here on earth.
“Thanks to all our teachers for what you are doing for our children. Your reward is here on earth, not only when you get to heaven.
“I also want to commend our parents for ensuring that their own children are not at the garage but here which shows that they are always in school.
“This scholarship is just a token compared to what these children will still get if you continue to guide them aright and they too continue to dedicate themselves to their studies”, Oba Shotobi charged parents and their wards.
The Vice Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos East Senatorial District and former Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, while commending the royal family for the gesture, stated that human capital development is the best investment that anyone can invest in to develop a community.
Asipa Kaoli, the Chief Learning Officer of the Kith & Kin Educational Concept, Ikorodu, also announced six years scholarship in his school for the best pupil among the five beneficiaries of the Olori Shotobi Scholarship award, in a test he proposed should be conducted by the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
“Our royal majesty (Oba Shotobi) and his Olori understand what development is all about and they are doing everything to support the development of Ikorodu, especially its people who are the greatest resources that God created.
“So, any attempt to build our community to become great, the best you can do is to invest in its human capital resources and the best way to do that is impacting on the young ones.
“I always fall in love when I see little children of this age. I can see the rising stars that will need more resources and support, so that they will get to very high places tomorrow.
“In as much as you do that for them, they too will remember later in future that the country is good.
“Like Dr Oshikoya, we are also providing scholarships which are being given to pupils every year in my area in Ibeshe. We always conduct scholarship examinations every year for the pupils of the two public primary schools in lbeshe where we give scholarship to the best two pupils in each of the two schools”, he said.
“We have seen that the programme is very encouraging. There had been a student who scored 100% which is rare to find even in private schools and we will continue to refer to that boy because that is the model and practical example to reference.
“He spent years in my school and he passed in flying colours and l told his parents that if the boy continues in this trend, I’ll sponsor him to the University. Today, the boy is studying Medicine and Surgery at University of Lagos.
“These are the resources that we should invest our money in supporting.
“To support what is happening today, I will ask Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) to conduct tests for the five beneficiaries and avail us their scripts and their results. We are going to offer the best among them scholarships in Kith & Kin Educational Concept”, Asipa Kaoli pledged.
“By the grace of God, we shall be complimenting what Olori is doing”, he added.
Sir (Otunba) Ayodele Elesho, the Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom and former Commissioner for Information, Lagos State, reminded children and the generality of Ikorodu people on the need to observe and strictly adhere to the stipulated measures of avoiding the deadly disease.
“Today should be a day to rejoice, unwind, dine, dance and eat with our children but because of the situation in the world, we cannot do that, though, we are lucky in Nigeria going by the effects of the COVID – 19 pandemic on other countries.
“God has been so kind to us, but I want to urge that we should not abuse the mercy of God. Let us adhere strictly with the protocols which are very simple – watch your hands always, use your face masks and allow social distancing”.
While stating that the pandemic situation brought about the low – key celebration, Otunba Elesho enjoined children, especially beneficiaries of the scholarship, to repay the royal family and their parents with good academic performances.
“It is because of the current situation in the country that we are having our little ones here without the usual jumping and dancing. Today is your day, Olori has earmarked 24th December of every year for celebrating the children to give you everything that a mother will give her children; to provide for your care, education and give you educational kits.
“If that has been done, what is expected of you is to focus on your education by reading very well and improve on your present status if you are not doing well. But I know that you will not be here if you are not doing well.
“This is just the beginning for you. As young pupils, you have roles to play in your own life because nobody will play that role for you if you fail to play it and plan your own future”, he charged them.
“You must compensate our mother for giving you a scholarship today by focusing on your education and improving on your present standard so that in the next few years, you will be on your way to the University”.
Alhaji Afolabi Amusa, the Education Secretary, Ikorodu Local Government Education Authority, commended the Ayangbure of Ikorodu for his assistance in completing an abandoned building within the Muslim Primary School in Ikorodu.
