The family of late Mrs. Selina Bosede Agbaje (née Apuabi) has donated educational materials, including 1,800 school bags, 9,000 exercise books, among other items, worth N16 million to students across public nursery, primary, and secondary schools in Iyin-Ekiti.
Speaking with journalists at the flag-off ceremony on Thursday in Iyin-Ekiti, the family representative, Oluremi Esan (née Agbaje), explained that the donation was made to commemorate the second anniversary of their late mother’s passing, who died in 2022 at the age of 80.
She added that the educational materials, distributed across 13 public nursery, primary, and secondary schools in the town, will boost students’ morale and ease the financial burden on parents as their wards begin a new academic session.
Her words, “The purpose of this gesture is to commemorate the two-year remembrance of our mother, who passed away in 2022.
“She was a dedicated teacher who spent her life teaching primary one, always showing great care to the students she taught.
“We thought that instead of spending millions on a party to celebrate her, we would honor her memory by doing what she loved—helping and caring for students.”
The Chairman of the Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Professor Femi Akinwunmi, described the family’s gesture as a valuable contribution to Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s human capital development agenda, which aims to make education accessible to all students in the state.
He urged other well-meaning indigenes to follow suit and contribute to the growth and development of the education sector in the state.
“One of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s key priorities is human capital development, and he is working diligently to achieve this. It is the duty of philanthropists to support the education system. Education for all is a collective responsibility.
“I want to commend the Agbaje family for their wonderful contribution. They have been proactive in assisting where they can, and I encourage other well-meaning individuals to participate in the state’s development,” he said.
The Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Adeola Adeniyi Ajakaye, also praised the late Selina Agbaje for living a selfless life and encouraged others to contribute to enhancing students’ education in public schools.
The monarch further urged parents to enroll their children in public schools, emphasizing that they are the foundation of quality education.
The schools that received the donated items include: St. Michael Nursery and Primary School, Methodist Nursery and Primary School, Erelu Adebayo Children’s Home, Ansar-U-Deen Nursery and Primary School.
Muslim Nursery and Primary School, Egeri-Oke High School, All Saints’ Pilot Nursery and Primary School, Eyomote Comprehensive High School, and others.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Jide Agbaje thanked the invited guests for coming and appreciated his siblings for their cooperation towards the success of the programme.