Two hundred and seventy six students and 68 public amd private schools in Ogo Oluwa/Surulere federal constituency, have benefitted from Bunvic Education Enlightement Programme, BEEP.
BEEP is an annual programme organized by Segun Dokun Odebunmi, who represents the federal constituency in the House of Representatives, to provide support indigent and outstanding students.
Apart from cash support, Bunvic as Odebunmi is fondly called, also paid NECO fees for about 40 students, donated laptops, decoders, exercise books and other educational materials to the students and their schools
Bunvic, who chairs the Reps committee on information, national orientation, ethics and value, in his welcome address, reiterated his commitment to the advancement of education via development of students and young adults in his constituency.
He said he is concerned about the growth of the younger generations because they are the future of his constituency.
Narrating his experience, the All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain said that “About 34 years ago when I sat for WAEC, I couldn’t make English Language and Mathematics. Hence, there was need for me to sit for the subjects again. in order to be able to further my education, I sought help everything but unfortunately then, there was no help in that regard other than negative advices that were been given to my father that he should enroll me as an apprentice.
“The journey of 4 years to have a degree took me more than 16 years but at last my future was restored by the grace of God and self determination. That is why I have always been ensuring that I do all within ability to advance the course of the younger generation especially in the areas of education and economic empowerment.
He also noted that the enlightenment programme was necessary because Ogo-Oluwa and Surulere local government areas are lagging behind in civil service at both state and federal governments compared to other constituencies.
“Let me let you now that we are presently lagging behind others LGAs. Let’s ask ourselves that how many directors in the federal/state ministries and agencies have we produced? How many captains of industries have we produced? how many governors, speakers or deputies, how many senate presidents or deputies have we produced?
“Ladies and gentlemen, we need to be strong and united for our land to be opened to bridge the infrastructural development in our area,” He concluded.
Ogunjobi Lawrence, coordinator of BEEP in his speech, said that 276 students drawn from 68 public and private schools in Surulere/Ogo Oluwa federal constituency partook in the exercise and not a single one is leaving without a gift which varies from laptops, cash awards, and payments of NECO fees.
He said the constituency has been able to surpass the various challenges it has faced in education, adding that several of the previous beneficiaries are now graduates of different institutions, while numberless others are currently studying at different higher learning places.
Guest lecturer, Jide Ajao, a professor of agricultural economy at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, in his paper entitled “Choosing a career path,” said many failed to achieve their vision because of lack of proper counseling, guidance and advise from knowledgeable people
Ajao noted that the world has moved and choosing a career path requires self evaluation and engaging what one loves doing everyday.
“Being passionate and courageous are essential ingredients for being successful in life, they must
evaluate themselves, build relevant skills and be willing to grow.
“I must commend your effort for giving this individual hope, you have identified with them and want to passionately appeal that you establish a vocational centre in communnites in Surulere/Ogo-Oluwa federal constituency where these students can learn about ICT, he said.
Adebayo Alao-Akala, a former governor of Oyo State, who commended Bunvic for his efforts in shaping the future of the younger generations, also charged the students to brace up for the challenges ahead and make judicious use of what they were taught
The zonal chairman of the All Nigeria Conference Of Principals Of Private Schools, ANCOPPS, in Ogbomoso, Adedoyin Isaac Olasubomi, while commending Bunvic for his gesture and support for the advancement of education in his constituency, said the lawmaker has facilitated classrooms, ICT centres, and educational support materials and it has helped people a lot.
Other stakeholders included Otunba Oranmiyan of Oko who commended Bunvic for his contributions to his constituents.
At the event were Alao Akala who also doubled as the father of the day, zonal director of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Ibadan, Mrs Owoyemi Bolanle, APC interim secretary, Alhaji Mojeed Olaoya, representative of APC United Forum, Adegbola Oluwaseun, Oloko of Oko, Oba Akinola, and several other eminent personalities
