No fewer than 50 students of Ajia Secondary School in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital have received school uniforms donated by Charles Alade Initiative.
The event, which took place at the school premises on Monday, was attended by Mrs. Ayobami Oluokun, the Permanent Secretary and Inspector-General of Education, Ibadan Zone II.
Oluokun, who urged parents to ensure that their wards take advantage of the free education offered by the state government, thanked Mr. Charles Alade, the initiator of the programme, for deeming it fit to rebound the students, saying it is first of its kind in the state.
Oluokun also thanked the initiative for complementing the efforts of the state government in repositioning the education sector.
“It will also complement the efforts of the state government to ensure that the education sector is moved to greater heights,” Oluokun said.
She said that the state government has been doing a lot to boost teachers’ morale and to ensure that students have educational materials for their learning.
In his remarks, Alade, Convener of the initiative, said he has the vision to provide school uniforms for one thousand male students in the state.
Alade emphasised the need for inclusive growth, development and intervention for both boys and girls in the society for a better future. He said many charity foundations focus more on the girl-child and the aged to the detriment of the boy-child.
“Project One Thousand is our mission at The Charles Alade Initiative to provide one thousand school uniforms to the government-owned secondary schools in 10 different zones in Oyo State.
“The quality of the boy-child today will determine the quality of the male adult tomorrow, hence, the need to boost their self esteem and morale to focus on their education and make something meaningful out of life.
“We want to extend the hands of care, love and kindness to them at this age, so that they can know that the society loves them,” Alade said.
He, however, called on well- meaning citizens to join the state government on its free education programme, so as to deliver quality education to students and provide support for indigent students.
Some of the beneficiaries of the initiative, Qoyum Oyewole and Yinka Afolabi urged the state government to provide other basic facilities such as chairs and tables, toilets, among others for their use.
Charles Alade Initiative is a non-profit and non-governmental organization with special interest in making learning more conducive for school children, especially catching boy-children from their formative age in order to ensure they become responsible adults in future.
It would be recalled that penangle.com reported that Project 1000, one of the brainchildren of Charles Alade Initiative, was launched on August 24, 2022 and the event was attended by government representatives, journalists, broadcasters and other well meaning Nigerians.