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•Showers cash, gives plaques on 2 teachers, bags to pupils
By Gabriel Dike
The Kanayo O. Kanayo Foundation recently put smiles on the faces of pupils and teachers of Bright Achiever School, Ileje-Bariga, Lagos, for their outstanding academic performance, dedication to duty and commitment to the school.
The foundation, which is constructing a modern school building for Bright Achiever School, was applauded by the pupils, teachers and parents for the awards and gifts, as part of its contributions to the promotion of education.
The awards were presented at the graduation ceremony of the school recently, which attracted the founder of Kanayo O. Kanayo Foundation and Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, his friends, the Baale of Ileje and many parents.
Prompted by the proprietor of Bright Achiever School, Ileje, Mr. Seun Awobajo, who told Kanayo that the head girl and overall best female student, Misturah Abdul-Rahamon, might not come back for her SS3, the foundation awarded her a scholarship.
Awobayo described Misturah as all-round student and that she was good in all the subjects and also in the extra-curricular activities.
He disclosed that the executive chairman of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) invited Misturah and her parents to his office, noting, “they are yet to honour the invitation.”
Following the appeal, the foundation awarded Misturah scholarship. Kanayo O Kanayo urged her to take advantage of the opportunity and distinguish herself in her study.
The foundation also recognized two teachers with N50,000 and a plaque each. The award for best male teacher went to the principal, Kehinde Sijuade Oladele, and best female teacher was Jane Kazeem Taiwo.
Twenty-eight pupils were presented with educational materials for their academic performance in different subjects from nursery, basic level to senior classes.
Kanayo, who addressed the graduating pupils and parents, said that education would lift families out of poverty, insisting, “parents should show interest in their children’s education.”
He predicted that, with education, the pupils could become President of the country, governors of their various states, senators, captains of industry, actors, lawyers and medical doctors.
He recalled how his dad, who did not go to school, would hand over his monthly salary in an envelope to him to pay his school fee with the word, “it is finish”. So, I don’t want any child to hear the word it is finish.”
The foundation boss appealed to Nigerians to take education out of politics and warned that no child should be denied education because of poverty.
Kanayo appreciated those who contributed to the on-going project in the school and appealed for more donations to complete the new school building.
He said, from the smiling faces of the pupils, they were hopeful for a better tomorrow, which only education could guarantee. The actor advised the pupils to read their books so as to make it in life and described education as oil of the future.
Kanayo revealed that the foundation has awarded scholarship to students in tertiary institutions and renovated schools in some states, while hoping to do more.
The proprietor of the school told The Education Report that 106 pupils in nursery, primary and secondary (JSS and SS3) were graduating.
Giving a breakdown of the figure, he said JSS3 produced 32; SS3 students were 13, basic, 20, nursery, 25 and kindergarten, 15.
Awobajo lauded the teachers for their sacrifice to ensure the pupils received quality education despite the condition of the school.
According to him, despite very lower school fees, some parents are struggling to meet up their financial commitment to the school.
He commended the foundation for honouring two teachers, awarding scholarship to Misturah and the provision of educational maternal to outstanding students.
Awobajo observed that the first three years of the school, things were difficult, stating that it operates a free tuition school as pupils only pay N1, 000 or N2, 000 depending on their classes.
Said he: “We have dedicated teachers in the school. People contribute money to pay our teachers; the least paid is N26, 000. It is difficult to run the school without government support. Met with then Governor Babatunde Fashola, who promised to support the school but it didn’t materialized.
He appealed to parents to continue to support the school and also urged Nigerians to help keep a teacher by contributing N5, 000.
Mistruah shared her academic experienced in the school and why she kept faith with the school despite the environment and location.
Some parents commended the efforts of the proprietor and the teachers for providing cheap but quality education to their wards. They pledged to continue to support their wards to complete their education in the school.
Declan Okpalaleke, three times winner of the CNN African Journalist of the year; appreciated Awobajo and his teachers for impacting knowledge on the pupils.
His words: “This is an opportunity that would take the pupils out of poverty and make them successful in different fields of endeavour.”
Okpalaleke lauded Kanayo O Kanayo for supporting indigent students, adding that his foundation has given scholarship to many students.
