The First Lady of Ekiti State, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has distributed educational materials to over 500 pupils and students across the state under the Widows, Aged and Orphans Hope (WAOH) Support Foundation.
The event, held at Lady Jibowu Hall in Ado-Ekiti, marked the official flag-off of the 2025 Back-to-School Programme. Beneficiaries, drawn from the local government areas and local council development areas of the state, received school bags, water bottles, warmers, mathematical sets, and exercise books.
In her address, Dr. Oyebanji described education as “one of the most powerful tools for breaking the cycle of poverty,” stressing that the programme was designed to ease the financial burden on parents while motivating pupils to excel academically.
“These items, though modest, are meant to support the parents and encourage our children to take their studies seriously. To every child here, I say: study hard, stay focused, and make your families and Ekiti State proud,” she said.
She further expressed appreciation to the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, for supporting the initiative, noting that his vision for education, youth empowerment, and human capital development continues to ensure that no child in Ekiti is left behind.
Dr. Oyebanji also called on the wives of local government chairmen to replicate similar initiatives in their respective areas so that more children and families can benefit.
In their goodwill messages, the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye, and the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Kofoworola Aderiye, commended the First Lady for prioritising the welfare of children and lauded the initiative as a reflection of the administration’s commitment to people-centered governance.
The Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Femi Akinwumi, represented by Mr. Oluwatoyin Omotosho, also applauded the programme, describing it as a timely intervention for struggling families.
Earlier in her address, the coordinator of WAOH Foundation, Dr. Kemi Dairo, revealed that the initiative also included the renewal of scholarships for 50 pupils, spanning from primary to tertiary institutions.
She reiterated that the programme is another demonstration of shared prosperity for the citizens of Ekiti State, which would elevate the education of children to a higher pedestal and give them a sense of belonging and fulfilment.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Karounwi Taiwo expressed gratitude to the Ekiti State First Lady for reaching out to vulnerable schoolchildren in the state.
She noted that the intervention had lifted a huge burden off her grandmother, who no longer had to worry about buying her school supplies for the new session.
The Back-to-School Programme is one of the flagship educational empowerment initiatives of the Office of the First Lady of Ekiti State, aimed at promoting quality education and reducing the financial strain on parents as schools prepare to resume for the new academic session.
