BY DAUD OLATUNJI,  ABEOKUTA

NO fewer than 500 pupils identified from two distressed   schools in Ogun State   have benefited from the first phase of Uplift the Schools’ programme of the First Lady of Ogun state, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun.

Uplift the School, a pet project of the Ogun First Lady, is targeted at assisting school children from the rural areas of the state whose parents can not afford to provide them with basic educational materials such as sandals and school bags.

Mrs. Amosun distributed   educational materials which included sandals,   school bags, exercise books, biro and pencils to pupils from two local government areas of   Ogun State – Obafemi-Owode and Ifo   local government areas .

According to her, “the gesture was a token of my   commitment towards ensuring that rural and indigent children have access to quality education under the affordable and qualitative educational policy of the Ibikunle Amosun administration in Ogun.”

While 130 pupils from St. Mathew’s Anglican school, Lademo village in Obafemi – Owode local government area benefitted, from the first phase, the remaining 370 pupils were selected from the Ajunwo Junior and Senior High School in the Ifo Local Government area of the state.

Speaking with journalist at the event in Lademo village, Mrs. Amosun said she has chosen the occasion which also coincided with her 48th birthday to celebrate with the less previledged in the society which she said included the school children who are the future leaders.

“There is no point in me sitting in the comfort of my room consuming more food and drink. I think the best way is for me to celebrate by putting smiles on the faces of people who might not have been smiled that day. This is why I have always tried and find a group of people that I can spend my birthday with and that gives me great joy”.

Aside the educational materials which she presented to the school children as her birthday gift, Mrs. Amosun, who was accompanied by the state Commissioners for Education, Barrister Segun Odubela and that of the Women Affairs and Social Developments, Elizabeth Sokunbi to the orogramme, also donated 300 units of benches and chairs for students’use at Ajuwon High schoo in Ifo local government area of the state.