Wale Jagun & Bolu Oresajo (SIWES Student)
For two days, chieftains of the Women of Substance, a leading social, political and community development women organisation in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, went round the six Local Government and Local Council Development Areas to continue its youth development agenda.
The group led by its President, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, former Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Lagos State, in its quest to promote pupils education, especially as regards those in need, donated a pair of sandals, 5 notebooks and school uniforms to 15 pupils in 12 schools.
Schools visited on Wednesday, were the Local Government Primary School, Majidun, LG Primary School, Ipakodo, St .John Anglican, Imota; LG primary School, Imota, Anglican Primary School, Ijede and Methodist Primary School Oke – Eletu, Ijede
The distribution of the support and material items continued on Thursday with the team heading to Ayangbure Primary School, Ikorodu; Owode Primary School, Ibelefun; Methodist Primary School Igbogbo and Oshosolu Primary School, Ikorodu.
Speaking during the tour, Hon. Akinsola said that the donations are meant to aid pupils academic performances and support the government’s efforts in providing good and quality education to children in Ikorodu Division.
It is the second major programme of the group this year.
“In this year, we have executed another programme by donating sewing machines to the vocational centre at Etunrenren in Ikorodu . This is our second project for this year and by the special grace of God, next year we will continue with other projects,” she assured.
The primary objective of the group is to touch lives of not just students and youths but also single parents and others in need.
The former Commissioner also stated that the Women of Substance under her leadership is also planning to pursue a campaign against drug abuse and dependency among the youths in Ikorodu Division.
Mrs Akinsola noted that funding has been a major constraint to the group especially due to the severe economic challenges.
The group’s patrons are appreciated for their support towards its causes.
The pupils and their school heads were full of appreciation to Women of Substance for extending their hands of fellowship to the development of education.
The Executive Secretary, Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Ikorodu LG, Alhaji Afolab Amusa, who was represented at the presentation of the educational items commended the group and charged beneficiaries to make good use of the materials.
On behalf of the pupils in her school, Mrs Taiwo Okanlola , head teacher, Oshosholu Primary School, Erunwen, Ikorodu, commended the group:
“We appreciate you for all your efforts morally, socially and financially towards the development of educational for our children and youths in general.
May the Lord continue to be with you, bless your organisation and enrich your pocket.”
In her own commendations, Mrs Ogunfeyimi, the school manager of Methodist Primary School Special Unit, Igbogbo, said:
“Despite the economic situation of the country, members of the association still took out of their earnings to donate and appreciate the children. May the Almighty Father honour them and appreciate them. They shall receive multiple blessings.”
Also commenting, Mrs Odumade, head teacher, Methodist Primary School, Owode – Ibelefun described the gesture as a surprise.
“It is a shock to me, because I don’t even expect it from them, but I really appreciate their efforts and like Oliver Twist asked for more.
“I would like to let them know that we still need classrooms. We have uncompleted classrooms and we really need them to be completed. The population is too large for the classrooms because we do not have enough classrooms.
The furniture are okay but we don’t have security to watch over the school in the morning and night.”
The Women of Substance have a lot of substantial requests to attend to in Ikorodu Division as the year rolls onwards.
Some of the chieftains of the group in the entourage were Mrs Kemi Kalesanwo, the project coordinator Evng. Yemisi Ilubanwo, Alhaja Fausat Olanrewaju, Comrade Kehinde Okeowo and Mrs Toyin Aroyewun, project secretary among others.
