Foundation’s Contribution to ICT Education in Ogun

Abeokuta — Since the development of human society rests solely on qualitative education, it is therefore imperative for government to provide all that is needed to achieve the above stated.But in the real sense of it, especially in this part of the world, government alone cannot be left with this onerous task if the goals and objectives of a well developed society were to be achieved.

Hence, organisations and well-meaning individuals should be able to support the government to ensure development- oriented education of citizens are focused, pursued and achieved. Such private intervention in education in Ogun State is the provision of books and ICT equipment to public primary, post-primary and tertiary institutions by Otunba Ayinde Ibikunle Foundation.

The Foundation headed by Ilaro born British trained surgeon and Otunba of Olu of Ilaro, Dr. Ayinde Ibikunle, has been, through its U.S.-based partner, donating relevant reading materials as well as multi-media computer systems to public schools in the state. Before now, more than 100 computers had been doled out to schools in the state right from primary to tertiary including a federal polytechnic in Ilaro.

Similarly, medical books and journals had been donated to the College of Medicine, Olabisi Onabanjo University, while Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta where Dr. Ibikunle served as chairman of governing-council between 1988 and 1991, also benefited from the Foundation’s programme.

In continuation of the education support in Ogun State, however, the foundation recently donated another set of computers to public schools in the state. The event which took place at Yewa Anglican Diocese’s Bishop’s Court, Oke Ela in Ilaro, headquarters of Yewa South LG, saw five primary schools, six secondary schools and three tertiary institutions benefiting from the programme which was graced by the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barrister Segun Odubela, chairman, Teaching Service Commission, Barrister Olubukunola Onabanjo, Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewa land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and Olofin of Ado-Odo, Oba Abdul-Lateef Akanni as well members of Yewa Think-Tank.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Ayinde Ibikunle described the programme as one designed to help public schools in the state to impart modern and technology based learning on the students. He noted further that primary sector will continue to benefit from the Foundation’s programme as it remains the pedestal on which secondary and tertiary education stand on. The surgeon, however, informed the gathering that plan has been finalized by the Foundation to establish science laboratories as pilot project in three primary schools which include Christ Church School, UAMC Eleja and Yewa South LG Primary School – all located in Ilaro.

In the same vein, he stated that science fund will be raised by Yewa Think-Tank to futher boost science education in public schools in the axis, while art gallery will equally be established and serve as a centre where students who have knacks for dramatic art, fine and applied art, photography and other art related activities, can be trained.

While thanking the Ogun State government for its support and encouragement, the president of the Foundation, affirmed its continous support role to education development in the state, submitting the Foundation’s programmes in no distant future will be replicated in other areas of Ogun State.

Responding, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Segun Odubela said investment in education and human capital development remain the only way to develop a nation. He stated further that Ogun State is highly passionate about qualitative education which informs the huge investment being made in education. Odubela commended the Foundation for doing a Yeoman’s job, noting government alone cannot shoulder the development and funding of education, calling on all other well-meaning indigenes of the state to emulate the kind gestures of Dr. Ayinde Ibikunle.

In his goodwill message, the Olu of Ilaro Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, showered encomiums on the surgeon for deeming it fit to start such a foundation which has made positive impact in education development of his native town and other areas of Ogun state.

He then charged the Foundation not to rest on its oars and continue to roll programmes that will ensure robust development of Yewa land in particular and Ogun state in general.

Also, TESCOM chairman, ‘Bukunola Onabanjo described the event as heart-warming and right impetus for education development in the state. She, however, mentioned that teachers too should factored into the Foundation’s programme,saying without good and competent teachers, good education infrastructure put in place will amount to nothing. The TESCOM boss further charged the teachers to handle the computers with care and ensure they are used for what they are meant for.

Consequently, Oba Abdul-Lateef Akanni, the traditional ruler of Ado-Odo, said the gesture was a wondeful feat which should be emulated by other networth individuals and contribute meaningfully to the development of education.

Meanwhile, the Librarian of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro and vice president, Nigeria Library Association, Ogun state chapter, Jooda Duro, has called on teachers and other players in education sector to encourage and inculcate reading culture in students, pointing out that reading habit of everybody should change for better if all round development should be achieved.

The Librarian further advised TESCOM in conjuction with the association, to organize training for teachers in the state to stimulate and arouse the morribund reading culture in schools. The event climaxed with the presentation of computer systems to the benefited schools.

At this juncture, the president of the Foundation, Dr. Ayinde Ibikunle sounded a caveat to various benefiaciaries of the computer sets to ensure they are put into practical use, while photographs of such should be taken and forwarded to the Foundation for onward transmission to the America based partner as evidence of usage. He warned that the task must not be toyed with as failure to do so could lead to yanking off of the synergy by the foreign partner.