Ondo Speaker reaffirms commitment to education, supports over 1,000 students
By Elizabeth Oyeniwa
No fewer than one thousand two hundred public and private secondary school students across Ondo Kingdom, comprising Ondo East and West Local Government Areas, have benefited from the education empowerment programme of the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji.
The Oba Adesanoye Civic Centre, venue of the empowerment programme, was filled to capacity with dignitaries, top government functionaries, including the Governor of Ondo State,Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa who was represented by his Deputy,Dr. Olayide Adelami, other political associates, as well as both former and serving members of the Ondo State House of Assembly.
The initiative, the third in the series, forms part of his ongoing efforts to boost educational opportunities for indigent and high-achieving pupils in Ondo East and West Constituency.
The donor, Olamide Oladiji, who emphasised that education is the key to unlocking the potential of the younger generation, explained that the programme was designed to alleviate the burden on parents as well as reward diligence in academics.
He stressed that the programme is more than an event; it is the continuation of a vision rooted in the belief that education is the surest path out of poverty, ignorance, and social limitations.
“As leaders, we owe it to our children to make politics meaningful by translating it into benefits that touch lives directly, and education stands as one of the greatest of such benefits,” he said.
The Speaker highlighted the impact of previous editions, where several outstanding students across public and private schools in Ondo Kingdom received scholarships following quiz and debate competitions. Notable beneficiaries include Omoniyi Peace (University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Nursing), Adesulu Omolayo (St. Louis Secondary School), and Akinpelumi Samuel (St. Joseph’s College), among others.
“This year’s programme continues to align with the ‘Our Ease Agenda’ of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, which aims to make life easier and opportunities more accessible for all citizens,” he added.
“By investing in education, we are directly supporting this mission. Nothing brings ease to families and communities like a well-educated child,” Oladiji further noted.
Oladiji therefore commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his Deputy, Olayide Adelami, for their commitment to the development of the educational system in the state.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr.Olayide Adelami, commended the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji, for his sustained vision and lasting impact in championing the programme, which embodies the transformative power of education.
The Governor highlighted the importance of education in building a brighter, more inclusive, and more prosperous future for the state. He noted that education is a shared responsibility that should not be left to government alone and appreciated the Speaker’s commitment to making the programme an annual event.
He added that the administration had taken several steps to strengthen the education sector, including renovating classrooms, prioritising teachers’ welfare, and providing scholarships and financial assistance to students.
The Governor, while urging students to read and study diligently, also encouraged them to appreciate the role of parents and guardians in nurturing them. He commended teachers for their sacrifice and resilience and called on everyone to work together to build a state where every child learns, dreams, and succeeds.
Speaking on behalf of other lawmakers of the Tenth Assembly, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon Olatunji Oshatti, praised the Speaker’s initiative, describing it as visionary and life-changing.
Traditional rulers, educational stakeholders, parents, and students expressed gratitude for the initiative, noting that the gesture would go a long way in alleviating parents’ difficulties in providing essential needs for students as the new academic session begins.
The event climaxed with the decoration of the Speaker by some of nothe beneficiaries of the empowerment initiative since 2020 , as well as testimonies from other recipients.
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