ZAINAB JUNAID
No fewer than 100 primary Pupils drawn from five different Public schools within Ipokia Local Government Area (ILGA), Ogun State, have benefitted from the educational support rendered by Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in collaboration with Teach for Nigeria, a Non Governmental Organisation(NGO).
School Uniforms and writing materials were donated to the beneficiaries.
The NGO, through 3 of its members, Mrs Akanbi Olutoyosi, Mr Mathew Emmanuel and Mrs Obot Aniebietabasi had approached the Command to sought for its support on ‘Cloth a Child Initiative’, a pet project of the NGO.
While explaining the motive behind the initiative, the delegation noted they observed during learning process that some pupils have their uniforms tattered and this has brought adverse effect on them in area of interaction with their fellow pupils, psychologically.
In this regard, 20 pupils from 5 different schools were identified for urgent attention. The selected schools for the programme include Community Primary School Igbo Adiguns, Community Primary school Odan Aje, Ipokia Local Government (IPLG) School 1 & II Idiroko, and Ipokia Local Government School Ikolaje.
The Command in response welcomed the initiative, considering it a laudable project.
However, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the Command expanded the scope of the initiative by making the proposed pair of uniforms with only socks to a complete set and included writing materials such as books and stationery for the pupils. It also added chalks and white board markers for the selected schools to teach the pupils.
During the presentation ceremony held on Wednesday 20 March 2024 at IPLG school I & II Idiroko, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller Administration, DC Charles Ogunesan congratulated the beneficiaries of the initiative.
He encouraged their parents to reciprocate the gesture by taking their children’s educational progression seriously and look after their wellbeing keenly. He described children as great blessings from God Almighty which must not be taken for granted. He applauded the NGO for introducing such a great initiative.
In her speech, the Ipokia Local Government Education Secretary, Alhaja Oduntan Ireti emphasized the significant role of teachers in the lives of everyone as they impact knowledge in learners, adding no Leaders or any holder of power that do not pass through teachers before attaining their present positions.
She thus congratulated the beneficiaries and their parents and equally commended the collaborative efforts of NCS and the NGO in uplifting the learning condition of the privileged pupils.
While urging Ogun 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service to maintain the collaboration established with the state education board, the Education Officer, Mr Bankole Joseph appreciated the kind gesture of the Command for collaborating with the NGO to carry out the initiative in favour of the pupils.
He further urged the duo to sustain the tempo and also beseech God’s blessing on them.
However, One of the beneficiaries, Miss Hunnesi Florence, a primary 5 pupil of the Community Primary School, Igbo Adiguns, in her vote of thanks, appreciated the Command for supporting them with set of uniforms and writing materials.
The senior coach of the NGO, Mr Babatunde Atteh, who gave the closing remarks, disclosed that he was extremely overwhelmed with joy, realizing the huge success recorded with the propagated initiative.
He expressed his profound gratitude to the Command for its enormous support which made the achieved success a reality. He congratulated the beneficiaries of the initiative and thanked everyone in attendance for gracing the auspicious occasion.
At the end of the occasion, the parents of the beneficiaries expressed their sincere appreciation to the Nigeria Customs Service and the NGO for providing educational support to their children.
The event was well attended by the management team of Ogun 1 Command, representative of the Department of State Security, members of the education board, head teachers of various schools, parents, Idiroko youths and other important personalities.
