The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Area Command (NCS) in collaboration with Teach for Nigeria, a Non Governmental Organization (NGO),has provided educational support to 100 primary school pupils.
The pupils were selected from 5 different schools in Idiroko axis of Ipokia Local Government Area (ILGA) in Ogun State.
Mr Hammed Oloyede,Public Relations Officer of Customs(PRO),Idiroko,made this known in statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Ota,
Hammed explained that the 3 of the NGO members, Mrs Akanbi Olutoyosi, Mr Mathew Emmanuel and Mrs Obot Aniebietabasi approached the Command with Cloth a Child Initiative, a pet project of the NGO, and sought for its support.
While further explaining the rationale behind the initiative, the delegation stated that, it was observed that during learning process some pupils’ school uniforms are tattered.
This development,they said affecting their studies, and interaction with their fellow pupils, psychologically.
They added that 20 pupils from 5 schools, having such challenge, 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 Custom Area Controller,Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, commended the initiative and considered it a laudable project 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.
“In addition, chalks and white board markers for the selected schools to teach the pupils were also added.”he said
Shuaibi,represented by Deputy Comptroller Administration,Charles Ogunesan,congratulated the beneficiaries of the initiative during the presentation ceremony on March 20 at IPLG school 1 and Idiroko 2.
The controller urged 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 remark,the Ipokia Local Government Education Secretary, Alhaja Oduntan Ireti, highlighted the significant roles play by teachers in impacting knowledge in learners.
Ireti emphasized that no one at the helms of affairs or corridors of power that do not pass through teachers before attaining their present positions.
She congratulated the pupils that benefited from the educational support and their parents and equally applauded the collaborative efforts of the NCS and the NGO in uplifting the learning condition of the privileged pupils.
Similarly, the Education Officer, Mr Bankole Joseph, during his own speech, appreciated the kind gesture of Ogun I Command and urged it to sustain the established synergy with the education board.
He prayed for God’s blessings and protection to abide with the Command and extended his gratitude to the NGO for championing such a wonderful initiative in favour of their pupils.
He urged them to sustain the tempo and beseech God’s blessing on them.
While giving vote of thanks, Miss Hunnesi Florence, a primary 5 pupil of the Community Primary School, Igbo Adiguns, appreciated the Command for supporting them with set of uniforms and writing materials.
In his closing remark,Mr Babatunde Atteh, the Senior Coach of the NGO,said that that he was extremely overwhelmed with joy, realizing the huge success recorded with the propagated initiative.
Atteh expressed his profound gratitude to the Command for its enormous support which made the achieved success a reality.
At the end of the occasion, the parents of the beneficiaries, expressed their sincere appreciation to the NCS 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.
Others are head teachers of various schools, parents, Idiroko youths and other important personalities.
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