Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of Nigeria’s President, has generously donated 50,000 notebooks to public primary schools in Kogi State through her “Renewed Hope Initiative” project. The official distribution ceremony took place on Thursday at the Glass House, Government House in Lokoja, and was officiated by Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, the wife of the Kogi State Governor.
In her remarks, Hajia Ododo expressed deep gratitude to Mrs. Tinubu for her unwavering commitment to the development and empowerment of children’s education in public schools nationwide. She lauded Mrs. Tinubu’s visionary leadership and passion for ensuring quality education for all, highlighting that the initiative is an inspiring model worth emulating.
Hajia Ododo pledged to continue supporting and emulating Nigeria’s First Lady to achieve even better outcomes. She noted that the distribution of the notebooks is part of a broader initiative reaching all 36 states of the federation. She also urged the people of Kogi to support her husband’s efforts in elevating the state’s status and reaffirmed the governor’s dedication to bridging gaps in the state’s educational system.
Addressing the pupils, she advised them to prioritize their studies and called on stakeholders to ensure fair distribution of the notebooks across public primary schools in the state.
The state’s Commissioner for Education, Mr. Wemi Jones, also praised Mrs. Tinubu for her contribution to education in Kogi State. He emphasized that educational support is one of the most sustainable forms of assistance, and reiterated Governor Ododo’s administration’s commitment to addressing the educational needs of Kogi children.
“We are indeed very grateful to the wife of the President for this gesture because palliative in education is the most sustainable palliative that you can give, as education is the bedrock of any development,” Jones stated.
Jones assured that Governor Ododo, having been trained and groomed by former Governor Yahaya Bello, is prepared to elevate education in Kogi to new heights. He confirmed that structures are in place to ensure the notebooks reach their intended beneficiaries and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to providing free education at the basic and secondary levels in public schools.
“Education is free in Kogi. We are paying for all exams, both internal and external, at basic and secondary school levels in the state,” Jones added. He reiterated the administration’s unwavering commitment to advancing education in Kogi, with the governor’s full support.
Hajiya Fatima Momoh, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, also expressed appreciation for Mrs. Tinubu’s efforts in enhancing educational standards across the country.
Mall. Salihu Usman, Chairman of the Forum of Education Secretaries, speaking on behalf of the state’s Education Secretaries, commended the initiative and pledged to ensure fair distribution of the notebooks.
The event’s highlight was the official flag-off of the notebook distribution by Kogi’s First Lady, who handed them over to the Commissioner for Education for subsequent distribution to pupils across the state.
