Foundation donates hostel to alma mater

A non-governmental organisation, Tope Dare Foundation (TDF), has donated a 100-bed hostel to the Ondo State government and students of St. Peter’s Unity Secondary School, Akure, as part of efforts to support learning and boost education.

Writing materials were also distributed to the students and drugs to the school clinic. Also, laptops were donated to best female and male students by friends and associates of the foundation. 

Dare, while handing over the hostel facilities to the Commissioner for Education, Femi Agagu, said the gesture was aimed at making his alma mater a more conducive place for learning.   

Also an alumnus of the institution, Dare said more than 305 individuals and 15 corporate organisations contributed about N17m to build the hostel. 

He said:  “The project was aimed at providing quality education to indigent students and providing basic needs, such as medicals, for those that are challenged and unable to pay their bills, while the last leg is empowerment.
   
“We believe that these three objectives are needed in Nigeria of today. Education is very critical and we cannot leave it alone for government.  We have 100-bed solar-powered hostel, equipped with modern security and surveillance gadgets and technology (CCTV). We also have a fire detector and panic alarm system.  The hostels would accommodate 75 brilliant students and 10 others who have excelled in sports, while five other best students in creativity and innovation would also benefit.

“We also want to recognise the students’ leadership so that they can manage the facilities. We are not just giving it to the school; we want to ensure the facility is maintained because what is lacking in our country is maintenance culture.” He also highlighted some of the programmes executed by the foundation to help some indigent students in the state.

“In 2021, the foundation got to know that the sale of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) forms was about to close and the principal said only two students had paid. The foundation bought UTME forms for the 149 students. Today, the foundation is happy for the successes recorded because those students were not left behind.

Dare also expressed concern over the deplorable education situation, saying government has failed to appropriately fund the sector.

“Government can no longer maintain schools. As we speak, teachers’ salaries are being funded by the PTA.  We believe that more donations should be made by the private sector.”

Agagu appreciated Dare for giving back to his alma mater and urged others to emulate the foundation, noting that government alone cannot fund education.