By Ahmed Ajikobi
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), identified as Saliu Mustapha Foundation has confirmed its readiness to collaborate with the Kwara State Government to organise a quiz competition in English Language and Mathematics among secondary schools in the state.
The Foundation Coordinator Yakubu Ishowo who made this known recently in Ilorin said that the partnership was borne out of the desire of the founder, Mallam Saliu Mustapha to empower the leaders of tomorrow in the area of education.
Ishowo noted that the competition would also foster community development and improve students’ interest in education.
The competition themed, โInvestment in Education, the solution to all Problemsโ, he said would draw participants from the three senatorial districts of the state.
โThe choice of this theme is timely as our country is currently faced with problems of insecurity, destabilised systems of education among others.
โTherefore, with huge investment in education, all problems can easily be solved,โ he said.
Ishowo announced that 60 schools would participate in the preliminary stage of the competition out of which 30 would qualify for the grand finale in Ilorin.
He added that the best three schools in each category would be handsomely rewarded alongside their subject teachers.
The coordinator asserted that the competition was one in the series of feats that had earned the foundation good reputation in the state and beyond.
In her remarks, the state Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Balikisu Oniyangi said that the state agreed to partner because the programme was designed to promote scholarship among secondary schools in the state.
โThis competition will also inspire and ignite our students’ passion for the core subjects as they serve as foundation of any chosen career.
โThis explains why the Kwara Government through the ministry is partnering Saliu Mustapha Foundation in this laudable project.
โIt must be placed on record that the present government is committed to improving the standard of education in the state through adequate funding and provision of necessary infrastructural facilitiesโ, she said.
Oniyangi urged individuals and corporate bodies to see education as a collective responsibility and contribute to the sector through endowment, building of facilities and scholarship among others.
The commissioner commended the initiative of the foundation and urged others to emulate it to have a vibrant education sector.
She assured stakeholders in education of the state government’s readiness for partnership that would advance the education sector.
The lecture held at the University Auditorium on Thursday tagged โDigital Marketing and the Future of Traditional Mediaโ was delivered by Dapo Olorunyomi, Chief executive Officer/Publisher Premium Times Nigeria.
