By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

A Professor of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Beatrice Opeolu, has called on government at all levels and well-meaning individuals to accord education the highest priority it deserves, to ensure that the number of out-of-school children is greatly reduced.

She said, government should look inward and provide supports for indigent students, through financial support, motivation and enlightenment on the importance of education, for rural dwellers and less privileged people in the society.

Opeolu, who made the call, while distributing educational materials to no fewer than 781 pupils of Ansar Udeen Primary School and Christ Church Primary School, both in Imasayi, in Yewa North local government area of Ogun State.

Opeolu, who is the President of Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)
distributed the educational materials through her Non Governmental Organization (NGO), BEE Solutions and Consultancy Services, with the support of American Chemical Society (ACS), distributed school bags, exercise books and water bottles to the beneficiaries.

At the programme tagged, ‘BEEYOURBEST’, founder/Chief Executive Officer, BEE Solutions and Consultancy Services, Professor (Mrs.) Beatrice Opeolu, said the gesture was to give back to her community, through the pupils.

While describing the initiative as a step in the right direction to put smiles on the faces of pupils and their parents, she noted that developing children educationally remains very important to laying the foundation for a stronger and more prosperous nation.

She called on the pupils to see the educational materials as a source of encouragement for them to pay necessary attention to their education, assuring them that they have brighter future.

She said, “the idea is to come and make the children in my community to know and believe that education is not a scam as they were made to understand at this time. That education is still profitable. That education is still the shortest cut for people that are not born into a rich family”.

“So we’re here to motivate the children. We inspire their parents. So that we can raise the next generation of people that will drive global sustainability in global community”.

“Make good use of this opportunity. Though, you may need something which your parents may not be able to afford now because of the economic condition of the country, don’t allow that to discourage you from going to school, just make good use of whatever your parents give you and pay attention to your studies. You will make it in life by God’s grace”, Opeolu said.

“I can see among you, future President of Nigeria, future governors, Senators, great industrialists and many other great people among you. You must aspire to be great in life”.

She reiterated that the intervention was part of strategies for ensuring that children of school age are kept in the classroom and as such, contributing towards reducing the challenges posed by the number of the out-of-school children in the country.

“To reduce the rate of dropout children from school, government should look inward by providing supports for those that we call indigent students. Indigent students that we know have potential to succeed, but their parents cannot afford their education or there is nobody that is willing to support them educationally”.

She called on parents to give their children education, stressing that they should shun ‘aso ebi’ and other frivolities of life for the education of your children.

“I will advise parents not to give up on their children. Sometimes the most troublesome child may end up be the child that will become something great in life. Don’t give up on any child.

“So parents, I will say give your best to your children as much as you can and make sure in your old age, you will be able to say, I give my children my best”.