Sequel to the forthcoming 10-year coronation anniversary of the Arole Oodua & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, some students in Ile-Ife were on Wednesday presented with a series of prizes including cash rewards for excelling in the maiden edition of the Ooni Ogunwusi Coronation Anniversary Quiz and Debate Competitions.
Sponsored by prominent philanthropist and protege of the Ooni of Ife, Mr. Victor Badejo, through his non-governmental organization, Victor Badejo Foundation, the competition, which started with several stages of preliminaries, was conceived to encourage students and uphold the standard of education in the community.
In his commendation, Ooni Ogunwusi lauded Victor Badejo for the philanthropic gesture, describing him as a youth blessed with numerous virtues. The Ooni explained that Victor deserves to be praised for taking out of his little to support the poor and vulnerable members of the society.
"What we have here today has further called for government's prompt attention to the standard of education in our public schools. I am surprised that most of the finalists here are students from public primary and secondary schools.
"Despite the challenges of life and obvious lack of amenities in some of these schools, the students still win medals and capture hearts with unbelievable excellent performance. Now imagine if all was well with our public schools, it would have been brighter than this, but we thank the teachers for their good works which have been rewarded today."
Earlier in his remark, the Attorney General of Osun State, Honourable Oluwole Jimi-Bada, SAN, described such competition as a measuring tool for education. Represented by a Senior Legal Adviser to the State Government, Barrister Debo Adedini, the Attorney General explained that all stakeholders must support the government to enhance the standard of education in the state.
"Today's event seeks to teach the students in informal ways and make them see the world differently. I have listened to these amazing students who spoke with courage, answered questions with precision, and demonstrated rare courage; these attest to the fact that the sky is the limit for these great children who are soon going to be leaders of our great nation."
In his goodwill message, Victor Badejo explained that he decided to organize the event to celebrate the Ooni, whom he described as a mentor, father, and unequalled leader.
"There is no gift that I can offer Kabiyesi than to give back to the society, the society that has made me who I am through the sole help and influence of our dear father, Baba Oonirisa. Over the last 10 years, Kabiyesi has groomed a lot of us (youths) from nothing to productive members of the society.
"Through this initiative, I wish to invite all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly in the grassroots, to do well by contributing their quota to nation-building through education. When we create a level playing ground for students to exhibit their talent and ability, we are investing in our future, and that is the pathway to prosperity."
In her motherly remarks to the participants, wife of the founder of Victor Badejo Foundation, Mrs. Opeyemi Badejo, commended the students for a bright performance, urging them not to relent in exhibiting their talents and potentials.
"I want to thank the great teachers whose works are being displayed here; you all are wonderful, and I pray that God Almighty will continue to be with you all," Mrs. Badejo stated.
The keenly contested Quiz competition was won by Saint John's Primary School, Oke-Atan, while the Debate with the topic "Traditional Rulers Are More Responsible Than Political Leaders" was won by Oluorogbo Grammar School, Road 7, Ile-Ife. They were gifted cash prizes, school bags, and books in furtherance of their studies.
Earlier in the day, a novelty football match sponsored by Victor Badejo Foundation was held at the Oduduwa College football pitch, where Ife Youth Organization defeated Titans Future Builders 2:0 in an interesting sporting encounter coined to celebrate the Ooni's 10th coronation anniversary.
Post a Comment