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….says restoring the Preeminence of Education in the state a collective responsibilities
Ekiti Parapo of North Carolina, USA has
awarded scholarship to indigent students drawn from all sixteen local government Areas of Ekiti State.
The President of the group Mr Tolu Joseph Olugbamila, explained that the gesture was to support and assist the present administration in moving education forward in the state, saying that everything should not be left to government alone.
“I am not going to sit on the fence as regards to the issue of Education, the standard is falling and as a critical stakeholder, we can’t feel unconcerned, the future of our children are bleaking, the old glory of Ekiti State as a fountain of knowledge is fast eroding, and something must be done. he added
All hands must be on deck, I’m not saying that government should abandon its responsibility but I’m advocating that there should be a dialogue on how to fund education for the overall interest of all. So that the burden would be reduced for the Federal Government and the education standard improved too.” Mr Olugbamila explained
Also speaking at the event, the Special Adviser on Education, Science and Technology Dr Bimpe Aderiye who was represented by the Executive Secretary Scholarship Board, Mrs Yinka Jegede , appreciated the rationale behind the laudable gesture, saying that the group had sown a seed that would be of immense benefit not only to the beneficiaries but the state at large.
“You are opportune to be one of the beneficiaries and that will help you to accomplish your goals. This is not the time to join bad groups but rather see this scholarship award as a challenge to excel against in your life and strive to succeed in life so as to be able to give back to the Society one day ”,, she noted.
she congratulated the beneficiaries and their parents, equally called on relevant organisations to emulate the kind gesture of the group so that more indigent students can enjoy education in spite of their financial limitations.
The Pioneer President of the Association, Chief Segun Ajibulu, a former lawmaker in the state, Honourable Segun Erinle, the SSA on Community Communications Mrs Mary Oso-Omotoso, and some stakeholders
emphasized the need to give every student the opportunity to quality education, and reiterated that education is the bedrock for sustainable development in every society.
On the theme of the programme, Restoring Ekiti Educational Preeminence in Nigeria, what must be done, the keynote speaker, Prof Patrick Tedela identified poor funding of education, poor implementation of educational policies and programmes as well as the poor attitude to school-work as reasons for the fall of Education standard in the country.
Education is the fulcrum of the nation’s development. It is the foundation upon which all other sectors are built. If the foundation is faulty, what can the righteous do? The educational structure of Nigeria has experienced an earthquake, only the crumbs are left. Gone are the days of free and quality education. Corruption has eaten up the country, the National budget allocated to the educational sector is reducing day by day. The little amount of money available is developing unseen wings and flying out of the nation’s pocket, he remarked.
The highlight of the event was the distribution of cheques to the benefiting pupils as well as branded Exercise Books to all the students, Parents and Teachers at the event
Representatives of the beneficiaries and Parents appreciated members of the Ekiti Parapo of North Carolina USA for the gifts, saying that it will go a long way in assisting them in their academic pursuit.