By, Omowumi Hannah

A leading gubernatorial aspirant under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has commenced Back-to-School Initiative in Ibadan Zone.

The school initiative featured distribution of school uniforms, socks, sandals, and other educational materials to vulnerable schools, on Tuesday.

The visited schools included St. John Basic School, Erunmu, St. Luke’s Demonstration Basic School, Molete, St. Brendan’s School I & II, Kumapayi, Olodo, Ibadan and HLA Special Basic School, Gate, Ibadan respectively.

Recall, Ajadi had said that his administration, if elected in 2027, will focus on harnessing grassroots talents while providing support for vulnerable and underprivileged children.

He added that his initiative which will fly across the seven geo-political zones of the state, will support over 200 vulnerable pupils with basic educational materials to reduce out of school growing population in the state.

The initiative, in partnership with the “Catch Them Young Campaign Initiative” has benefitted over 300 pupils in government-owned primary schools across the state.

The benefitted pupils commended the aspiring governor for extending dividends of democracy to the grassroots, saying he has left an indelible mark for better future.

Some of the the Head Teachers of school visited, Mrs. Victoria Opadotun of St. Luke’s Demonstration School, Molete, and Mrs. Cecilia Akinpelu highlighted challenges faced by the pupils,

“This initiative will greatly make pupils stay in schools. Many are orphans, homeless and born in a divorced home. These affect the pupil’s pyscho-social balance, but this support is a renewed hope to them”, they echoed.

The school administrators called parents and well meaning Nigerians to support elementary education delivery across Oyo State and Nigeria at large.

A parent of twin pupils of St. John Basic School, Erunmu appreciated the donor, reaffirming loyalty to the administration of Seyi Makinde led PDP Government.

She urged parents to support the education of their wards, advising them against poor children nurturing for future rest, and healthy societal competition in future.

Earlier, Chief Co-ordinator of “Catch Them Young Initiative Campaign”, Mrs. Ayodeni Aluko noted that the her initiative, approved by the Oyo State Government, is aimed at hailing young talents for future development, urging more support and sponsors for wider coverage.

Meanwhile, Ajadi has assured of extending the initiative to other zones of the state in the coming weeks.