By Muftau Ogunyemi
The Civil Defence Officers Wife Association (CDOWA), Ondo State Chapter, has bought uniforms and paid school fees of some indigent students in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Mrs Ademola Omotola Ibiloye, CDOWA Chairperson in the state, distributed the school uniforms and paid the school fees of the students on behalf of the association on Wednesday .
Ibiloye, who is the wife of the Ondo State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said the gesture was part of the association’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commemorating the Children’s Day celebration.
She said that the indigent students were selected from three different schools within the Akure metropolis.
“Two primary and one secondary school benefited from the gesture, and to break it down, 17 pupils were supported in the two primary schools while 12 students benefitted in the secondary school,” she said.
She explained that school fees of seven pupils were paid while additional costs was made for the purchase of uniforms for three pupils at the Ilekun Community Primary School, Oda Road, Akure.
The CDOWA chairperson disclosed further that school fees for 10 pupils were paid at the Glory land Community Primary School and fees for 11 pupils were also paid at the Ijo Mimo Oluwa High School, Ijoka, Akure.
According to her, the reason the association is doing this is to give back to society, especially to give hope to indigent students in the little way.
“We thank God for using us to impact into the lives of the young ones because the Nigeria we are praying for, a better Nigeria we are hoping for, starts from those children,” she said.
Ibiloye, therefore, admonished the students not to be involved in crime and use their time for valuable activities.
“Don’t be discouraged because you have a brighter future ahead, don’t limit yourself and you need to work hard.
“Be mindful of people you are relating with, especially those Yahoo boys because their way is not the better way, remember that ill gotten wealth will fly away,” she said.
Mrs Jumoke Abiodun-Olaimolu, Principal, Ijo Mimo Oluwa High School, appreciated CDOWA for the gesture, saying it would go a long way to help the students to concentrate on their studies.
“We appreciate you for strengthening the hands of love to the indigent students because some parents could not afford a day’s meal not to talk of paying the school fees of their wards or children,” she said.
One of the benefiting students, David Oluwole, a Senior Secondary Student, Ijo Mimo Oluwa High School, thanked CDOWA for paying their school fees, saying it would help them to be more focused on their studies.
“We appreciate you ma, you have helped us in our career lives and we promise to be good ambassadors of this country,” Oluwole said. (NAN)