Members of MKI Education Foundation have been applauded for its scholarship scheme that has contributed immensely to the development of the society .
Stakeholders in the Education sector gave the applause at the 16th Edition of the Education support programme held at Williams Event Place, lgbokoda, Ilaje local Government Area of Ondo State.
The Occasion attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, among whom are Dr (Mrs) Olawunmi Ilawole, Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) on Education, the Tutor – General in charge of Ondo Southern Senatorial District, Lady Olufunke Omotehinse, a former Member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Oyebo Aladetan and the Education Secretary, Irele Local Government, Mr. Adebusoye Joshua, who was the chairman of the occasion
Others are the principal, Gbabijo High School, Oroyomi, Comrade John Ojueromi, two of the beneficiaries of the scheme in year 2018, Omomowo God’sGift of Ilaje High School, Igbokoda and Ugbosanmi Anthony of Igbokoda Grammar School, Igbokoda
The guest speaker Mrs Wunmi Ilawole, said members of the foundation are partners indeed to the present administration in the State which is giving all it demands to take education to the next level.
She emphasised that “ If the older generation had taken a little step to develop the education of the youths in Ilaje area, the level of development of the area could have gone higher than what it is today.
“You are wonderful people that posterity would continually judge right. I give kudos to you”.
The chairman of the occasion, Mr. Joshua Adebusoye while praising members of the foundation, described them as a unique group which had impacted positively on the development younger generation by teaching them how to fish, rather than giving them fish to eat at all the time.
Earlier in his welcome address, president of MKI Mr. Bayo Rojugbokan informed that members have been striving to expand on the scope of the programme so as to attract more beneficiaries.
“We started as young men sixteen years ago and our main objective is to cordially encourage the young ones in their education pursuits.
“We started by buying books and stationeries for the students so that they can achieve success in their education, we were not giving cash. It is our joy that at least ninety per cent (90%) of those who have benefited are graduates from different higher institutions of learning today and some of them are here present to give testimony,” he said.
He however expressed displeasure on the performance of those who sat for the pre-qualification test this year, saying that they are the least performed since the inception of the scheme.
Lady Olufunke Omotehinse, praised MKI members urged the parents to always encourage them to do better.
She was especially not happy that parents and leaders of Ilaje communities were not present at the occasion.
Comrade Ojueromi expressed displeasure on the way parents encourage their children to stay away from school in the area.
He called on all stakeholders to join hands with the present government to bring education back to the path of glory in the state.
In the lecture delivered by Dr. (Mrs.) Olawunmi Ilawole titled; ‘Poverty and Underdevelopment in Ilaje Land: The Role of Education in Filling the Gap,’ she x-rayed poverty, underdevelopment, historical perspective of the Ilaje people, geographical location, what went wrong and the way forward.
Winners of this year’s award are Omomowo God’sGift of Ilaje High School, Igbokoda who came first, Ugbosanmi Anthony – Igbokoda Grammar School, Igbokoda, second and Ebiniyi Blessing of Gbabijo Grammar School, Gbabijo in third position.
Each was presented with books and other learning materials worth two hundred and fifty Thousand (N250,000.00) Naira.
A beneficiary, Omomowo God’sGift while appreciating the gesture, promised on behalf of others to make good use of the educational materials distributed to them.
MKI Education Foundation is being powered by former Marine Klub of Ilaje land annually in its bid to contribute its quota to the education development of Ilaje land.
