By Oluwadamilola Omotoso, Celestina Rotimi, and Tolulope Ojo
Final-year students of the Department of Communication Studies, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI), on Monday, donated educational materials, school uniforms, sandals to Nawa-ur-deen Nursery and Primary School in Oyopeju, Ikere-Ekiti, as part of their community development project under the course Rural Broadcasting. The initiative was coordinated by Dr. Olaseinde and Mrs. Labake Akinyemi-Oke.
During the outreach, educational materials such as: books, pens, pencils, rulers, school uniforms, pairs of sandals, several packs of socks, and school bags were given to pupils in need.
Addressing the pupils, student representatives Miss Favour and Miss Anikeola urged them to remain obedient and committed to their studies, emphasizing the essence of community development and collective responsibility.
Mrs. Labake Akinyemi-Oke, one of the lecturers supervising the initiative, highlighted importance in instilling social responsibility among students.
“We all have to collectively contribute and build our nation; it is not a one-man’s job,” she said.
She added that the most inspiring moment for her was when some students volunteered to personally sponsor uniforms and other materials for the children.
Teachers at the school also expressed gratitude. Mrs. Olowolafe A. F. described the gesture as unprecedented and praised BOUESTI’s growing positive impact in Ikere-Ekiti. However, she lamented the school’s infrastructural challenges.
“It is disheartening that there is no good road leading to the school, and the toilets here are dilapidated. Both staff and pupils resort to nearby bushes. The classrooms are inadequate, and the two new ones under construction since last term remain unfinished,” she said, appealing for urgent government intervention.
Similarly, Mrs. Ojadua, representing the headmistress, commended the initiative, noting that most pupils had resumed with little or no learning materials.
“This event makes me very happy because it means our pupils will now have more materials to aid their learning,” she remarked. She also called on government and stakeholders to provide perimeter fencing to enhance the pupils’ safety.
Parents in attendance appreciated the kind gesture of BOUESTI and acknowledged previous government interventions, while also requesting support in providing gardeners to clear bushes around the school.
The event ended with an interactive session where pupils asked questions and received responses from the visiting students. The children expressed excitement and gratitude for the gifts and encouragement.