Kehinde Olueatayo

Members of the public have been admonished to give whatever they can afford to the education of the less privileged in the society.

Ondo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Pastor Femi Agagu  made the remarks during the presentation of scholarships by a non governmental organisation to some indigent students in Akure.

Agagu who was represented by the Director of School Services in the ministry, Dr Akindele Ige said government will appreciate the little people can give out to assist in the education of the less privileged.

He commended the donor for deeming it fit to help the students, describing the gesture as a step in promoting education in the state.

“Let those who have assist these less privileged. It is not a matter of N10m. Whatever you give will be appreciated. The donor has the right to spend his money for other things but has sown a mustard seed and God will reward for that,” he stressed.

The donor, Mr Damilola Sekoni who is a magistrate with the state government said he has always been driven by humanity adding that he believed that it is not what you expect from people but what you can offer.

“Our NGO has been going to secondary schools in the state to sensitise students on effect of drug abuse which was borne out of my experience as a magistrate with two young men who killed their fathers.

“We visited a school and as usual, I dropped my phone number. Few days later, a student called, soliciting for assistance in paying his school fees. Although such was not in the modus operandi of our NGO, we decided to assist and took his boldness as passion for education.

“A friend of mine from Republic of Ireland has given him scholarship to SS3. And we decided to pull resources together to extend it to other students which is what you are seeing today. I am a civil servant, I am not rich but seeing the students smiling is my joy.’, he explained.

Sekoni said some of his friends who saw what he is doing are supporting him and called on people to support the education of the less privileged.

He also charged the students to be focused, noting that education remains the pathway to success.

Principal of Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School, Akure, Mrs Omobola Ojoge described Mr Sekoni as a life moulder who has affected the psychological domain of the students through his campaign against drug abuse.

“We face a lot of challenges in schools because we have a lot of these students. Some of them are very brilliant but nobody to sponsor them. There are richer people out there, let the come and assist these students”, she pleaded.