No fewer than 5,000 students across various secondary schools in the Akoko North East Local Council Area of Ondo State have benefitted from the distribution of educational materials by the council chairman, Mohammed Mutiu.

Speaking during the exercise at the weekend, Mutiu said the initiative was designed to promote quality learning and boost academic performance, adding that his administration remains committed to supporting students in their educational pursuits.

According to him, investing in students not only secures their future but also contributes to the growth of the community, the state, and the nation at large.

Beneficiary schools include Agboriki Comprehensive High School, College Ikare Secondary School, AUD Secondary School, Osele Comprehensive High School, Comprehensive Secondary School Ikare, and Ise Akoko High School.

The council boss explained that the distribution covered essential learning materials such as exercise books, writing materials, and textbooks, adding that more interventions would follow to ensure that no child is left behind in accessing quality education.

Mutiu appealed to parents and guardians to encourage their wards to cultivate a reading culture and maintain discipline. He reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue prioritising education, urging the students to remain focused and committed to excellence.

He further disclosed that plans were underway to renovate dilapidated classrooms in some schools and provide additional facilities to create a more conducive learning environment.

“Education remains the most powerful tool to fight poverty and insecurity, hence the need for all stakeholders to support government efforts in strengthening the sector,” he stated.

The exercise also received support from Eduminds Africa, an organisation that promotes quality education and climate change awareness.

Founder of Eduminds Africa, Miss Motunrayo Oyedele, said the gesture aimed to make education more attractive to students while easing the financial burden on parents.

Teachers and students of the benefiting schools expressed appreciation to the council chairman, describing the materials as timely, especially amid the current economic hardship facing many families.