by Femi Abegunde
The idea of Fola Adekeye has given birth to a five-day successful educational summit on improving the education of the students of Ayedun community in Kwara State.
Fola Adekeye, a several media awards winner in and outside the country, also a former editor at Newswatch Magazine, now the Director of Studies at Champions International Schools, conceived and introduced the idea for an Educational Summit to a group of people of like minds, in the community. The Summit’s objectives were to bring the children in the community back to books that will positively impact their future; to close the gap between the privileged elites in the community and ordinary school children at home; to provide mentorship and scholarship initiatives among others. These well-meaning members of the community, together with Mr Fola Adekeye, formed the committee of Ayedun Educational Summit, A.E.S. The group took the goal of promoting quality education in their community, from the level of just an idea to the actual realization of it by establishing a custom of providing the necessities for quality education through this Educational Summit, which will hold every three years henceforth, as agreed by the A.E.S committee.
The Chairman of the Summit committee, Chief Oluomo of Ayedun community, Dr. Idowu Ogunsola, realized over four million Naira after pulling resources together from the committee members. It is pertinent to note that more than 30 people contributed the 4 million naira worth of resources in cash and materials provided the schools and students. Six hundred school bags, 2,800 exercise books, 3000 biros were presented to the students of the four schools in the community, including Catholic Community Primary School, Muslim Community Primary School, Muslim Community Secondary Schools (Senior and Junior) and Fatima Community College.(Senior and Junior).
According to the chairman of the committee, “This has never happened before in the community. It is indeed a revolution!”
A.E.S administrators were Dr. (Chief) Ogunsola Idowu Bello, Chairman; Alhaji Raheem A Jimoh, Vice Chairman; Alhaji Fatai Tiamiyu, Adviser; Fola Adekeye and Lekan Jimoh, Conveners; Prince Yemi Adetiba, Fundraising Coordinator; Emmanuel T. Ajekigbe, Secretary and Miss Justina Omotosho, Head of Protocol.
The objectives of the Summit took five days to actualize. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday witnessed individual counselling sessions with the school children of JSS1 & JSS2, JSS3 & SS1, SS2 & SS3 respectively, within the Green Yard Mansion of Chief Oluomo. The children were comfortably seated under spacious canopies provided by the Summit Chairman. The compound was beautifully decorated and sections provided for each counselor to sit comfortably as they do the job. Thursday experienced visitations and talks in the four schools, letting the students know the secret of a better tomorrow. “The best way to predict the future is to create it through quality education” said Chief Oluomo of Ayedun in one of his talks with the students.
Mr Adekeye and his wife, Mrs Abosede Adekeye – the CEO of Champions International Schools in Magboro, Ogun State also gave words of advice and elevating speeches to set the students on the right track once again.
According to the convener of the Summit, Mr Fola Adekeye, in one of his speeches, he pleaded with the children to be kind to their future. “The power to achieve your dreams lies within you, it all starts with believing in yourself.” He added that success is not a matter of talent or luck, but a matter of determination, prayer, and persistence. He beseeched them to avoid negative thinking and trust in their abilities to make it. He assured them that they are not alone because God is with them, so they should take steps today towards achieving success tomorrow.
All the activities was crowned with the Summit-proper which came up on Friday. The event was dignified by the presence of His Royal Highness, Obajisun and the paramount ruler of Ayedun Kingdom, Oba Dr. Olusegun Abayomi Rotimi, who declared the Summit open after all items bought had been shared amongst the students in the community early that morning and the students settled themselves inside BELOVED HOTELS.
The National Anthem and the Summit Anthem were rendered by Segun Onileola’s Band after which Mrs Adekeye said the opening prayer.
The opening remark was presented by the Ayedun Development Association, A.D.A President, Alhaji Fatai Tiamiyu who expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the Education Summit Committee, especially the convener of the Summit – an educationalist per excellence, Mr. Fola Adekeye – a strong supporter of Ayedun development, recognising the fact that he made people in the community realize the need to share deep interest and commitment to quality education.
In his speech, Chief Oluomo who had his primary and secondary school in the community, charged the students to be self motivated and to turn their challenges into strengths like he did when he was a student: “You need to stay focused on your books as I did when I was in school like you. You certainly have a lot of time ahead of you to achieve meaningful goals and raise happy families,” he said. “Your future is very bright.” He added. “My dear children, nobody brought us together like this in our days. This is a rare privilege for you all,” he concluded.
Engineer Olatoye, an indigene of the village who went to Fatima College in the community, donated three-in-one photocopy machine for the school. He promised same for other schools. Also, he promised to build either a Computer Room, Laboratory Room or a block of classrooms depending on the school’s preference. He promised that whichever they choose would be completed before the end of next year.
The Chairman, Kwara State Teaching Service Commission, Mallam Bello Taoheed ably represented at the occasion by Mr. Shola Bello gave a speech: “As we all know that government cannot provide everything we need, the philanthropists in Ayedun deemed it fit to help the government of the state and government of the federation through their innovations and interventions in the education sector, especially in Ayedun community.” He said that there was need for Kwara State government to see what the community has done in developing the students under her care. He promised to report to the Commission all that has happened. He also declared that the Governor would be adequately informed about the historical event.
He therefore charged parents, teachers and Heads of schools to oversee and manage well all the equipment the association had donated.
Alhaji Raheem A Jimoh spoke on the topic “21st Century Parenting”. He advised parents to be good in all their dealings because only good trees bear good fruits. He said that parenting is the biggest sacrifice one can make. “Parenting is like putting your life on hold today to meet the needs of your children tomorrow,” he stated.
A.E.S fundraising Coordinator, Primce Yemi Adetiba also motivated the children with the story about his struggles to achieving excellence while in school. He also requested feedback from students and heads of schools, on what they had learnt and their feelings towards the new development in the community.
Segun Onileola’s Band graced the occasion with cultural songs and dances which elevated the spirits of the students and other attendees.
Traditional Council Chiefs, Government Educational Officers, Ayedun Educational Strategic Team, Financial and Material Contributors, School Principals, Headmasters and Teachers, Students of junior and senior secondary schools among others were all present at the Summit.
Finally the A.E.S. chairman gave an appreciation speech to all, after which his Royal Majesty blessed the Summit, remarking that he hoped for a repetition of it sometime soon.
Chief Aliu Balogun said the closing prayers.
