Ola Awakan, a broadcast journalist and founder of Starlight Talents Foundation, has donated school items to Wowo Nursery and Primary School, Olodi -Apapa, Lagos, his alma mater.
Items donated include 40 school uniforms, two tables and other educational materials.
Awakan said that the gesture was borne out of the need to encourage quality grassroots education, convenient and equipped learning space, as well as to aid positive future career aspirations amongst pupils.
The event 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.
“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 journalist said.
Also speaking, Oduntan Olukoya, Head of Section, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Education Authority, applauded 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 receive all these materials of benevolence on the special day of this gentleman, 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,” Oduntan said.
In his remarks, Taofik Goriola, Vice Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area, noted that he was not surprised by the philanthropic gesture of Awakan.
“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,” Goriola said.
He said that some students were performing below average in school, due to the lack of right materials to motivate them, as their parents could neither afford them.
Goriola said that the beneficiaries of the gesture would be motivated to do better and excel in their studies.
The Head Teacher of the school, Stella Eze, described Awakan’s dedication to the school and its pupils as admirable.
Eze said that the gesture had been a source of motivation for not only the pupils, but also the teachers and other educational staff.
One of the beneficiaries’ parents, Toyin Abdulganiu, lauded the donor for the philanthropic gesture and his repeated efforts as well as his concern for the children’s physical and educational well-being.
Also Read:
- Yahaya Bello: Selective prosecution by EFCC unacceptable — Dele Momodu
- Lagos to residents: We won’t back down until we find solution to flooding
- Ex-Bank Manager jailed 121 years for N112m fraud
- IPI Nigeria demands immediate release of FIJ journalist
- Africa and the imperative of South Korea’s development model, by Tunde Rahman
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 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 the nursery to primary six.
The journalist first donated some uniforms and books to the school in April 2022, after which he took some of the indigent pupils out for counseling at a more relaxed environment.
According to him, he plans to do more, if he can get support.