By Jordan Akpata.
The spirit of community development came alive on Tuesday at the Ogori-Magongo Local Government Secretariat,Akpafa,as the Back-to-School Support Programme was officially flagged off, marking a new chapter in the drive to uplift education in the area.
Our correspondent reports that the event, graced by the Commissioner for Education in Kogi State, Hon. Wemi Jones, underscored the Ododo administration’s commitment to education as a bedrock of development.
Jones disclosed that about 30 percent of the state’s monthly allocation is consistently dedicated to education, a feat he said places Kogi among states prioritizing the future of its young people.
He reiterated that education in public schools across Kogi remains free, warning parents not to yield to illegal demands for examination fees.
“Education is the right of every child, and government has taken firm steps to ensure no child is denied access,” Jones affirmed.
The commissioner commended High Chief Meka Adesina, convener of the initiative and coordinator of the Ododo Vanguard in Ogori-Magongo, for complementing government’s educational strides.
He further called on well-meaning individuals and organizations to follow Adesina footstep by investing in education, stressing that “building the future of our children is a collective responsibility.”
The keynote speaker, Mr. Emmanuel Ikpelemoh, highlighted the significance of continuity in the Back-to-School Support Programme.
He urged indigenes of Ogori-Magongo to take ownership of the initiative, emphasizing that books and other learning materials must reach pupils, students, and teachers if the programme’s true purpose is to be realized.
In a heartfelt vote of thanks, High Chief Meka Adesina, the coordinator of
pledged to sustain and expand the initiative in the coming years through strategic partnerships with individuals and organizations.
He acknowledged the role of the Ododo Vanguard and praised the enabling environment provided by the governor, while encouraging the local government council to support community-driven educational projects.
Though the local government chairman, Hon. Rosemary Ohiezu, was unavoidably absent, Adesina, who is also the
Coordinator, Ododo Vanguard in Ogori-Magongo, stressed the need for leaders to rally behind initiatives that plow back into the community.
Many members of the audience at the event note that the flag-off of the Back-to-School Support Programme in Ogori-Magongo has not only set the tone for a brighter academic year but also demonstrated how government and community synergy can transform lives, one child at a time.
Both public and private schools in the local government, a total of 31, benefited from the programme.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
