Odi-Olowo LCDA Chairman,Hon Jakande Launches Back-to-School Program To Support Public Primary School Children.

Emmanuel lkpeama 

The Executive Chairman of Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Seyi Jakande, has launched a Back-to-School Initiative to provide essential school materials to all 27 public primary schools in the area, including a specialized school for students with special needs.

The program which took place at the Council Secretariat on Wednesday 10, September 2025,is part of the administration’s HEWA Agenda, aims to alleviate the financial burden on parents and ensure every child has the resources needed to succeed academically.

In his address,Hon Jakande stated that the Back-to-School initiative is a direct fulfillment of his campaign promise to prioritize education as a means to uplift the community and provide a brighter future for the children.

He noted that a society that neglects its youth is destined to fail, stating that his administration has made it a duty to assist the parents and guardians—through the distribution of essential Back-to-School materials to the pupils in all the 27 public primary schools Odi-Olowo-Ojuwoye LCDA, including the students attending special needs school.

“This initiative is not merely a ceremonial gesture; it is a deliberate mission aimed at alleviating the financial burden on families during this critical resumption period. By providing these essential educational materials at no cost, we are helping to lighten the load on parents and guardians, allowing them to save their hard-earned money for other vital needs.So, while students are going back to school, parents are keeping money back in their pockets.”

“These initiatives are all part of our broader strategy to enhance educational outcomes and empower our youth. We have resolved to place primary education at the heart of our development priorities.

” We cannot aspire to build a great society if the foundation of our children’s learning is weak. This administration is committed to investing the necessary resources to enhance public primary education in Odi-Olowo-Ojuwoye, aiming for better outcomes. So, this is just the beginning!

“We are ready to invest in the intellectual growth of our young learners, laying the groundwork for a more enlightened and prosperous Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye in the years to come. “he said

The Council boss went further to highlight that since the inception of his administration,he has embarked on various education-themed programmes that reflect the unwavering commitment to fostering academic excellence.

“One such initiative is the “Summer Boot Camp”, designed to equip our students with essential skills and knowledge during the holiday period.

 

” This program has not only enhanced their academic performance but has also provided them with the confidence to excel in their studies.

“In addition, we have distributed free GCE forms to indigent students in our community, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder their pursuit of higher education. We understand the challenges many families face, and we are committed to breaking down those barriers.

“Furthermore, we have organized mock examinations to prepare our students for the GCE exams, providing them with the tools they need to succeed.”he submitted

Jakande called on the children to dedicate themselves to their studies, as this is the only pathway to a prosperous future for themselves, their families, and the community at large, while praying for all parents to live to enjoy the fruit of their labour.

“Remember, hard work does not kill; it is the lack of effort that leads to missed opportunities. Your primary responsibility right now is to focus on your education and make your parents and community proud.”

“As a government, we strive to impact your future positively, and we hope you will make the most of this opportunity. Many of you may dream of becoming a Governor, Local Government Chairman, or even President. If that is your aspiration, the key is to work hard and remain focused on your life goals.”

He thanked all the dignitaries including the political leaders,religious leaders, staff and management to join hands and work together so as to create an environment where every child can thrive, education is accessible to all, and dreams can be realized without the burden of financial strain.

Earlier the Council Manager Mrs Otenaike Afolake in her speech emphasized that the event marks another milestone in their collective effort to ensure that no child is left behind in the pursuit of education as the chairman and the entire community recognize that education is not just the key to individual success but the foundation for the development of our community and our nation at large.

She stated that this initiative is more than just about exercise books, pencils, or school bags but is about giving hope, reducing the burden on parents, and most importantly, sending a clear message to the children that their dreams are valid and that their future matters.

Otenaike urge the pupils to make good use of the opportunity giving to them by studying hard, respect their teachers, parents and always strive for excellence.

“To our dear pupils, we want you to go to school with pride, with your heads held high, knowing that your community believes in you. Make the most of every opportunity, study hard, respect your teachers and parents, and always strive for excellence.”she said.

She thanked all the parents and guardians for their continuous support and commitment to their children’s education, while appreciating the school heads and teachers”We appreciate your hard work and dedication in shaping the minds of the next generation.”

Investigator news reports that some of the dignitaries at the event encouraged the children to read their books,study hard and pray for their parents and the administration of Hon Seyi Jakande so as to provide more for them.

Speaking with newsmen,Mr Owolabi Falana,board member Lagos SUBEB commended Hon Seyi Jakande for providing educational and financial support to individual families and towing the line of his father who ensured that no child is left behind in acquiring quality and sound education in Lagos State.

He noted that with the Back to school initiatives of giving out 5,000 educational materials to 27 primary school in the local government is a welcome development in which individuals, organization can key in to support the government both from the federal level to the local government level so as to ensure that every child have access to quality education.

Falana called on the parents to encourage their children to always resume school on the first day of resumption as most children do not like coming to school on the first three days of resumption, thereby making them to miss classes.

“I want to appeal to all the parents to always monitor their children textbooks, notebooks and check their assignment giving to them. Also I want to appeal to them to encourage their children to start school on the first day of resumption so as to not miss the classes, thank God Lagos is free education,so there is no excuse for any child not to attend school” he stated.

The APC Party Chairman, Hon Babatunde Ishmail (TUNKAZ) said that he is happy that the council boss is leaving up to one of his campaign promises,”HEWA Agenda”, which emphasizes Health and Environmental Sustainability, Education and Empowerment, Works and Security, Agriculture, Tourism, and Culture.

“Last week,he gave out free GCE forums to the students, today he is giving out 5,000 educational materials to 27 primary school children,this is laudable program and we want to commend him for this as he is representing the party very well and we know that he will do well”

Lending her voice,the Council Manager,Mrs Otenaike noted that the programme goes beyond distributing school materials, describing it as a gesture of hope that reduces the burden on parents and motivates children to learn while encouraging pupils to take proper care of the items so they last throughout the school year.

She urge all the parents to always support the local government in terms of revenue and other things so as to move the LGA forward”the parents should help us in ensuring that this children gets the right attention by making sure that they get quality education, also they should mobilize their families, neighbors and friends to make good use of the voters registration that is ongoing so that they can continually receive the dividends of democracy ”

The Education Secretary of Mushin Local Government Education Authority, Princess Akinlude, described the gesture as impactful, urging parents to enroll their children in public schools where registration and other expenses are free.

She commended the chairman for supporting families and helping to reduce the number of out-of-school children.

Speaking with newsmen at the end of the event,Hon Jakande opined that the initiative is to ensure that the council provide the pupils with all their basic needs for the entire academic session as it will reduce the financial burden of the parents, while assuring the residents that the programme would be sustained annually

“This will increase the morale of our pupils to go to school and receive free basic education,” he said.

He called on residents of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye to take the advantage of the voters registration ongoing that as government he has ensured that the process is seamless by providing centers at various ward for free registration and also ensure that they are taking to Mushin local government for data capturing at no cost.

Reacting on the issue that parents were required to present their voter’s card or VCR slip for their children to benefit,he said “Our people should take their PVC seriously. It is a valid ID document that every citizen from the age of 18 must have. The main reason is to encourage our people to register and obtain their voter’s card, and the council will make it mandatory to possess a voter’s card before benefiting from government programmes,”

Responding on behalf of the children, Master David Daniel from Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye primary school thanked the Executive Chairman,Hon Seyi Jakande for the support giving to them, while assuring him that the children would make him proud and be a good role model to their family and the community at large.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of the educational materials to over 5,000 children from 27 primary school in the local government with their parents permanent voters card( PVCs)as a criteria for collection of the material.

Also, the Lagos State Mothers Association presented an award of Excellence to the Executive Chairman of Odi-Olowo Ojuwoye local government.

The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including Hon. Owolabi Falana, board member of LASUBEB; Vice Chairman Hon. Niyi Awodogan; Deputy Leader Hon. Haruna Adeosun; and other councilors from the Council.

Also present were Council Manager Mrs. Folake Otenaike, Council Treasurer Mr. Rufai Mujitabah, the LCDA’s CDC/CDA chairman, APC Party Chairman Hon. Babatunde Ishmail, Executive Secretary of Education Mushin Princess Akinlude, all Heads of schools, Parents Forum representative Mrs. Iyiola, School Management Board representative Hon. Olaniyan, and other party leaders among others.

The Back-to-School Initiative is set to significantly impact the community, ensuring that every child has the resources they need to succeed academically, while simultaneously helping families save money during this crucial time.

 

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