A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Ojo Ibukun Foundation has, begun a catch-them-young programme to aid the educational skills of children in Lagos public schools.

Specifically, the foundation is poised to save hundreds of indigent primary school pupils from dropping out of school.The Convener, Shamsideen Adeniyi, who spoke on the Indigent Pupils’ Adoption Programme (IPAP), in Lagos recently, said that the group has adopted 220 pupils in primary schools in Eredo Local Council Development Area of the state.

The scheme, according to him, was aimed at helping the less privileged and eradicates poverty in the rural communities. The foundation donated kits to the pupils. Each pupil got a school bag, two pairs of uniform, a pair of sandals, two pairs of socks, exercise books, biro and pencils.Adeniyi said: ‘’I was brought up in Eredo community. I know what poverty is all about and I believe one can be his brother’s keeper by giving out to the less privileged ones.
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Like I always say, once you can afford three square meals, you can afford to feed another man. I looked around and realised that a lot of people need help. So, I was inspired to assist the indigents.“In Ojo Ibukun, we believe public service is not and should not be limited to political office holders. We believe we should always find a way to serve humanity of which we are integral part. We strongly believe that giving is not of abundance but out of love. Therefore, the IPAP is designed to symbolically adopt an indigent child and provide him with the basic necessity of education which might have not been covered by the Lagos State Free Primary Education Policy’’.

Adeniyi, the former Secretary to Eredo LCDA lamented the rate of children deprived of education because of poverty, saying “It is disheartening in this modern age to see little kids through no fault of theirs but accident of birth going to school with torn uniforms and some even without shoes or writing materials while their classmates are properly kitted.

“Ojo Ibukun Foundation is a platform for joint effort in philanthropy. We want to proof that we can achieve great things in small measure collectively. We can all put together our widows’ mite and achieve success in a task that ordinarily insurmountable for individual.

To adopt a child under this programme, all an individual needs to do is to pay the sum of N5, 000 (the cost of two pairs of uniform, school bag, a pair of sandal, two pairs of socks, exercise books and writing materials) to a dedicated account which is to be managed by highly reputable individuals.”

Among the dignitaries at the event was Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Segun Olulade, who recollected how lack of school sandals and uniforms almost stalled their educational careers.

Meanwhile, Commissioner 111 in the Lagos State Civil Service Commission, Wasiu Odeyemi, adopted 120 pupils on behalf of his late parent’s foundation, Hassmowum.