The Ekiti State Deputy Governor , Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has appealed to school administrators to partner Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s government to accomplish improved girl child education, academic excellence and talent development policies of the current administration in all the public schools.
Essentially, Mrs Afuye, in a statement issued by her Special Assistant on Media, Victor Ogunje, described sports as veritable avenue to develop the talents of productive population and bring them out of obscurity and poverty to stardom and wealth in these modern days.
The Ekiti’s number two citizen, gave the charge in Aramoko Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area, during the annual Inter House School Competition, held at Saint Joseph’s Christ Apostolic Church Nursery/Primary School, on Wednesday.
In honour of the Deputy Governor, who is an alumnus of the school, the institution designated the “Green House” in her name and also conferred award of excellence on her for being an accomplished alumnus, who has elevated the school’s status.
Speaking at the sporting fiesta, Mrs Afuye, applauded the school for believing in the culture of moral and academic excellence, which they inculcated in her during her stay in the school between 1966 and 1971, describing those moments as indelible in her educational career.
She, however, appealed to parents to prioritise the education of girl child, saying any discrimination on the premise of gender could be best described as a crime against God and humanity, that won’t be tolerated by Oyebanji’s government.
Speaking about the pivotality of sports to national unity and human capital development, Mrs Afuye, said it has become a money-spinning venture, with capacity to create wealth for the people, saying this necessitated why governor Oyebanji was investing hugely in the sector .
Mrs Afuye added that Governor Oyebanji is currently building a multi billion Naira indoor sport complex in Ado Ekiti to develop the the young and talented population in diverse sporting activities.
She said this investment was targeted at creating youth who will launch Ekiti’s name on the world map of sports and as well carve a niche for the state as one enclave where talents development have gained traction and attracting government’s focus.
“I still remembered with good feelings how this school trained us to be academically sound and to maintaining moral standing anywhere we are. This still remains the guiding principle for me till today. I thank God for where I am today.
“I want to beg our parents, don’t discriminate against girl child in terms of educational attainment. There is nothing our boys can do that girls can’t do better.
“As you are encouraging academic and moral excellence, you should try and encourage sports. All the parents should also key into the governor’s vision in sports. They shouldn’t discourage their children who are interested in any sporting activity from embarking on the journey that can make their lives better and earn them respect nationally and globally”.
To build facilities and shore up what the government was providing to bring comfort and succour in schools, Mrs Afuye appealed to well-meaning indigenes to look back and contribute to infrastructure development of their alma maters.
The school’s Headteacher, Mr Olaniran Adetifa, appreciated Governor Oyebanji for providing more classrooms to provide comfort for the pupils and teachers.
Adetifa said the school has been designated as a pilot school by the state government in Ekiti West Local Government, but needed facilities like entertainment hall, school bus and sport equipment to be able to fully assume the new status, appealing to alumni to lend a helping hand to achieve these.
The school tutor added that the institution has been encouraging sporting activities under the context of “catch them young” initiative of government, calling on parents to complement their efforts in this regard.
The Regent of Aramoko Ekiti, Princess Sherifat Adeyemi , saluted the state government for providing adequate facilities in school, while applauding the teachers for upping academic and moral excellence that have distinguished the school in Ekiti West Local Government.