Executive Chairman of Egbeda Local Government and chairman of Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon. Sikiru Oyedele Sanda, has kicked off the distribution of 70,000 exercise books to pupils in all the 77 primary schools in the council.
Sanda, who noted that the effort was part of his administration’s “Back to School Initiative,” said it would promote inclusive education and equitable access to learning materials.
Speaking at the official kick-off of the “Back to School Initiative” held at the Egbeda Local Government Secretariat, Egbeda, Sanda maintained that the distribution of the books is part of a broader educational intervention plan targeted at improving access to quality learning materials and support to families.
According to Sanda, the provision of the exercise books would facilitate note-taking, help pupils to stay organised, track their progress and be able to engage more actively in the learning journey.
He added that the intervention would also significantly reduce the financial burden on parents and allow them to focus on other essential aspects of their children’s education and well-being.
He expressed gratitude to the Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, who, according to him, supported the council to extend the gesture to pupils and parents.
The council chairman admonished parents and teachers to ensure that the books are put to good use, as according to him, the gesture is an investment in their children’s future and in the development of the entire community.
He said: “It gives me a great pleasure and honour to welcome you to the free education book distribution to pupils in public primary schools across Egbeda Local Government.
“The free education book distribution captioned ‘Back to School Initiative’ is a testament to the local government’s commitment to equipping our pupils with necessary tools towards the development of their education and the opportunity to learn and grow.
“This free education book distribution generously provided by this administration is more than just books, it is a way of welcoming the pupils back to school, which is a pathway to knowledge, creativity and brighter future of our pupils.
“You will recall that in 2024/2025, the local government paid for the WAEC and JAMB fees of 100 selected indigent but brilliant students in some schools within the local government areas. To God be the glory, they all came out in flying colours.
“So, this is not the first time that Egbeda Local Government will be participating in empowering our educational sector.
“Not only that, we had once provided compendiums of past questions and answers to pupils preparing for the Common Entrance examination.
The chairman of SUBEB sent a representative to that event.
“There was also a time that we collaborated with an NGO to provide school bags, shoes and uniforms to pupils in the local government.”
Hon Sanda added that apart from interventions aimed at supporting parents and making learning easier for pupils in the council, his administration had also embarked on the building of education infrastructure.
“Let me also inform you that the renovation of a six block of classrooms with two offices at the Community High School, Osengere, is ongoing and will soon be handed over to the school authority by God’s grace,” Sanda added.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), Dr Nureni Adeniran, commended Egbeda Local Government, just as he charged parents and teachers to complement the efforts of the government by ensuring that the books are put to good use.
Adeniran said: “This will go a long way to assist these children to ensure that every child in this local government area has access to writing materials.
“We appreciate the local government council under the chairmanship of Hon. Sanda for this wonderful programme, which is aimed at raising the educational standard.
“To the beneficiaries, they must use these books for the purpose they are meant for. And the parents must also ensure they complement the efforts of the government to make sure that these books are well utilised.”
Similarly, the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters at the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Akintunde Olajide, called on other council chairmen in the state to emulate Hon Sanda by supporting education through similar interventions and providing educational infrastructure to schools.
