Ahead of the 2023 gubernatorial and State assembly elections, Mafoya Oluwanbe Foundation in Oyo State has charged Oyo parents and guardians to support the candidate that will promote the education standard of the state.
The foundation made the assertion on Wednesday during a press conference in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
It was stated that the organization is always willing to promote education in the state, part of which includes organization of literary and debate competitions which is set to hold soon in the state.
The Non-Governmental Organization chief coordinator, Mr. Segun Agboola disclosed that they are set to organize annual literary and debate competition for secondary school students in the state.
He said: “In our own bid to eradicate illiteracy and ignorance in the state through language, we shall be organizing again our literary and debate organizations in the secondary schools in the state, which will be opened to all schools and students that are interested.
“We are speaking with the Oyo State Ministry of Education so that we can have the debates in both English and Yoruba languages. The winners of the competitions will be rewarded with scholarships while the schools will be rewarded with the establishment of ICT with equipment and an electronic library.”
Agboola also stated that the competition is opened to sponsorship and partnership to ensure the success of the program.
The foundation which was initiated by Late Chief Ezekiel Amoo Agboola has since been focusing on the education, health and empowerment of the people.
Addressing pressmen , the convener, declared that the foundation is not aligned with any political party, stating that residents should vote their conscience gubernatorial and State Assembly elections.
He added that Oyo state has a large percentage of out of school children in the Southwest and the government cannot do everything in the aspect of education. Hence, it is important for the organizations to help through organizing competitions like this.
“Vote the candidate that will promote the education standard of our dear state as this is coming at this time because it is an important and sensitive time for us to decide the fate of our children.
“Oyo state has a large percentage of out of school children in the Southwest and the government cannot do everything in the aspect of education. Hence, it is important for the organizations to help through organizing competitions like this.
“Education support remains the foundation for any government. We as a foundation recognize that and will continue to build solidly on that support.
“We are not cool with the education standard in Nigeria, if the people are not well educated, they will miss quality education.
“We award annual scholarship to students in Oyo state for them to be serious and focused.
“We are ceasing this opportunity to admonish parents and guardians to invest in their children.”
The Convener also charged the residents to ensure massive vote for good governance in their areas, stressing that the mandate of the foundation was to mobilise voters for the best candidate and there was no better way to go about it than to boost voters’ motivation.
