Date: 2013-05-24

The wife of the Kwara State Governor, Mrs. Omelewa Ahmed, has called on Non-Governmental Organizations and stakeholders in the state to support government's quest to reposition the education sector.
Speaking at the presentation of instructional materials to selected schools in Ilorin, the state capital, by Abdulfatah Ahmed Consolidation Movement (AFACOM), the governor's wife observed that government alone cannot shoulder the resposibilities of ensuring sound education, thereby calling for collaborative efforts from the public.
Mrs. Ahmed, who was represented on the occasion by Mrs. Aminat Kannike, described education as a catalyst for positive change and pointed out that "education for all is the responsibility of all".
The wife of the governor who decried the dwindling reading culture among students called for concerted efforts among stake holders to reverse the trend.
She therefore, applauded the group for its vision and initiative in complementing government efforts in the education sector, saying that the gesture would aid teaching and learning process in schools.
In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Adi Abiodun, described the gesture as a welcome development, praising the group for its initiative.
The chairman, who is also the Education Secretary of Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State, noted with happiness that the gesture was in line with the government's call for community support to bring about qualitative education in the state.
According to him, "It is not out of place to passionately implore parents/guardians, well meaning Nigerians, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders to emulate this good gesture and give full support to the development of education by providing infrastructural facilities".
With that, he said our great nation would attain the desires goals of vision 20:20:20.
While congratulating beneficiaries of the materials, he urged them to make judicious use of the materials to facilitate improved learning and teaching.
In his welcome address, the coordinator, AFACOM, Audu Basheer Agaka, disclosed that the instructional materials were worth several thousands of naira.
Agaka further said the programme was held as part of activities marking the second anniversary of the present administration in the state.
He said though AFACOM was a political group, it was established to complement the present administration efforts in bringing democratic dividends to the peoples' door-steps, particularly students.
He further explained that they were youth in politics who understand the importance of education to any nation's development, saying that the programme is taking place across the three senatorial districts of the state simultaneously.
He added that 500 copies of exercise books were distributed to primary schools and some other instructional materials, saying that the programme would be a continuous as modalities had been mapped out to ensure all primary schools in the state benefited from the programme.
He explained that there were other activities lined up to complement the present administration in ensuring that people at the grassroots, particularly students felt the impact of Governor Ahmed-led administration.