In a bid to continually encourage quality grassroots education, convenient and equipped learning spaces as well as encourage positive future career aspirations in pupils, broadcast journalist and founder of Starlight Talents Foundation, Ola Awakan has donated school uniforms, tables and other educational materials to his alma mater, Wowo Nursery and Primary School, Olodi-Apapa Ajegunle, Lagos State.
This philanthropic feat took place at the school premises with members of the Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Education Authority, Local Government representatives, school management, teachers as well as parents in attendance.
According to Mr Awakan, “This is not my first time doing this and I hope to make it more frequent and do even more. This event is not just to mark my birthday but to also encourage the students that the peculiarity of their location does not determine their success in life”
The Head of Section, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Education Authority, Mr. Oduntan Olukoya applauded Mr Awakan for his continual acts of giving back to the society and being a symbol of hope for the pupils and the community at large.
“We received all these materials of benevolence on the special day of this gentle man who has said he needs to give back to the society especially the school. He passed out of the school in 1994. The benefit of this gesture is that the students will enjoy the uniforms and the other materials they did not have before now. We are asking that others should emulate his gesture so that they can do more and give back to the society where they were served”, Mr Oduntan added.
According to the Vice Chairman of APC in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area, Mr Goriola Taofik, “I have known Ola Awakan since secondary school several years ago and even then he had always found a way to give back and help students like himself. So I am not surprised”
He further revealed that some students are performing below average in school because they don’t have the right materials to motivate them and their parents cannot afford them as well. However, the beneficiaries of this occasion will definitely be motivated to do better and excel in their studies.
The programme started with the unveiling of a motivational signpost at the entrance of the school, followed by a motivational talk with all the pupils from Nursery to Primary 6 and presentation of 40 Uniforms, 2 Tables for the teachers and other donated materials to the school management.
The Head Teacher of the School, Mrs Stella Eze also reiterated that Mr Awakan’s dedication to the school and its pupils is admirable and believes it will be a source of motivation for not the pupils alone but the teachers and other educational staff.
One of the beneficiaries parents, Mrs Toyin Abdulganiu thanked the donor for the philanthropic gesture and his repeated efforts and concern for the children’s physical and educationally wellbeing.
Ola Awakan first donated some uniforms, books to the school in April 2022 after which he took some of the indigent pupils out for counseling at a more relaxed environment. He said he plans to do more if he can get support.
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