Ekiti First Lady, Olayemi Oyebanji, Distributes School Materials to 500 Students, Urges Stakeholders to Invest in Youth.

Ekiti First Lady, Olayemi Oyebanji, Distributes School Materials to 500 Students, Urges Stakeholders to Invest in Youth.

The wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has called on stakeholders in the education sector to prioritize continuous investment in the youth to build a brighter and more educated society.

Dr. Oyebanji made this call in Ado Ekiti while distributing school bags containing educational materials—including notebooks, food warmers, water bottles, and mathematical sets—to students across the state. The initiative is part of her pet project, the 'Widows, Aged and Orphan Hope Project (WAOH).'

Addressing stakeholders at the event, which included 500 beneficiaries, Dr. Oyebanji stated that the initiative, tagged "Back to School," was conceived to equip students with the tools they need to thrive academically, acknowledging that education is the cornerstone of every child’s development.

"In total, 500 students will benefit from the various items, but we are making a symbolic presentation to 200 of them here today, while the remaining students will receive theirs at their respective local governments. These items may seem small, but they are vital in supporting the children’s educational journey," Oyebanji said.

She emphasized the state's commitment to ensuring that every child in Ekiti State has access to the resources needed to succeed in school. She also urged the beneficiaries to view the materials as a morale booster and to study hard and aim high.

Dr. Oyebanji also called on well-to-do individuals in society to replicate such gestures in their respective locations, in a bid to reduce the number of out-of-school children across the state.

Earlier, the WAOH Coordinator, Mrs. Kemi Dairo, expressed confidence that the distributed materials would provide significant relief to parents, especially as the new academic session approaches. She recalled that last year's edition of the program, which impacted 400 students, had a lasting effect on the beneficiaries, motivating them to excel in their studies.

In their goodwill messages, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, Head of Service Dr. Folake Olomojobi, Commissioner for Education Dr. Bimpe Aderiye, and Commissioner for Women Affairs Mrs. Peju Babafemi, among others, appealed to the beneficiaries to remain committed to their studies. They also urged parents not to leave the responsibility of child upbringing solely to the government.

Beneficiaries of the program expressed gratitude and promised to put the materials to good use in their educational pursuits.