By Ayo Oyoze Baje
Quote:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”
-Nelson Mandela
For anyone, or a group of people to be described as game-changers or change – agents, making the desired, positive impact on the quality of life of fellow human beings,more so as problem -solvers they must be driven by the moving mantra of selfless leadership. They have successfully eschewed the greed for personal gains and instead are propelled by the unfailing moral principle of working for the common good for their communities and countries within the matrix of focusing on the larger picture.But the bitter Truth, especially in today’s greed-infested world is that they are few and far between. They are indeed, a rare breed.
But as fate would have it, yours truly was lucky enough to have an engaging intellectual discourse with a few of such patriots- led by Professor Funso Falade ably assisted by Dr. Joe Dada. While the former, an erudite scholar and civil
engineer retired not too long ago as a Professor of Civil Engineering, from University of Lagos, the other , a world – renowned, seasoned marketer and former Director with the UAC is a Member of the Nigeria – British Chamber of Commerce and Industries is currently the Chairman, Board of Directors of Livestock Feeds Plc.
But what is the connecting chord between the two? The answer is not far fetched.
Both are not only indigenes of the scenic, rural community Ikoro Ekiti of Ekiti state but are distinguished, committed and passionate members of the now wave-making Ikoro Resource Associates ( I RA ). What also makes it unique is the choice to add value to the unfailing, facilitating factor of quality education delivery, which is the foundation for sustainable human capacity development.
But what really is the group all about, that is in terms of vision, mission, the journey so far, the challenge overcome and the plans for the future?
.
The above listed brilliant minds as well as some other sons and daughters of Ikoro Ekiti discovered to their utmost dismay that the younger generation of students were performing abysmally low in their studies, much unlike them when they were of their age. While, according to the account in the book titled: ‘ The Making of Stars’ by Prof. Falade focused on the critical matter the older generation of students were focused, disciplined, purposeful, determined and success-driven the new generation has derailed from that noble path of academic excellence!So, how do you make the desired difference?
That is the million-naira question?
“In order to reverse the negative trends,in 2011, a group was put together to intervene under the auspices of Ikoro Resource Associates ( IRA ). The initial focus was to offer scholarship to two deserving Ikoro indigenes that were indigent and attended the two public secondary schools in Ikoro but the appraisals of their results for five years (2007-2011) showed that there was no scholarship opportunity due to the prevailing poor academic results”. That was disturbing was it not? Yes, it was. So, what steady steps were taken forward as solution providers to the students’ poor academic performance?
Virtually every year from 2011 there were new programs to make the needed change. For instance, on November 13, 2012 IRA organized an education summit to present the academic performance of the students in the two public Secondary schools in Ikoro for five years, from 2007-2011 under the Chairmanship of Olukoro of Ikoro, Oba( Dr.) Olarenwaju Adebanji Adeleye by Prof. Falade on behalf of IRA. Subsequently, on January 13, 2013 the group supplied a total of 225 volumes of books on different subjects to each of the schools- Eso-Obe Comprehensive High School and Babatope Memorial High School. One of the identified problems responsible for the poor performance of the students was shortage of teachers in both schools. IRA identified relevant teachers in each school and commissioned them to run tutorials for the students on a special arrangement such that the tutorial lessons would not conflict with normal class lessons. All the engaged teachers were paid on monthly basis. IRA, through its Chairman,Prof.Falade gave a career talk to the students as an insight into the subject combinations for the different courses to be offered in higher institutions.. That was most inspiring.
Furthermore, in January 2015 IRA took two giant steps were put forward by establishing end of session Prize Giving Day as well as inaugurating inter- school Quiz Competition in the three categories of Science,Arts and Commercial subjects. This involved both the private and public schools.
And in 2016, IRA went ahead to give scholarship awards to deserving students who clinched 1st-3rd positions in each class by paying all their levies. This arrangement enabled some of the beneficiaries to come from other towns and States. IRA also presented a board tagged:’IRA Honours Roll’ for the purpose of posting the names and photos of the prize awardees.
In order to evaluate the impact of the IRA education program, IRA decided to carry out the analysis of the performance of students in the two schools in WAEC and NECO from 2016 to 2019. According to Usman Siaka, the Coordinator of IRA Programs, the intervention of IRA helped the students in the two schools to record success in both WAEC and NECO, thereby enabling many of the students to gain admission to higher institutions of learning.Hence, one of the noble aims of the intervention is being achieved. This is indeed, remarkable.
IRA started bursary awards to deserving students from Ikoro in higher institutions in 2023/2024 session. Going forward, IRA plans to institute education related infrastructural facilities such as good access roads, potable water, and establish IRA Skills Academy. To achieve all of these, IRA will engage governments at the local, state and federal levels, corporate organizations and worthy sons and daughters of Ikoro who are in and outside our shores.
Worthy of note is that the level of success recorded by the students and educational ecosystem of Ikoro so far through the timely intervention of IRA would not have been possible without the pragmatic partnerships of individuals such as Adeniran Remi, Adeosun Kayode, Dr. Joe Dada, Prof. Aina Olabisi, Mrs Arowolo Olubukola, Prof. Funso Falade, Mr. Asake Segun, Engr. Kole Benson, Mrs. Dupe Fasanmi, Mr. Sola Fatoki, Dr.(Mrs ) Nike Kolawole, Engr. Akin Ojo, Elder Jide Adesoye and Mrs. Funke Amobi.
The lasting lesson to learn from these great efforts is to make a positive change in the lives of the younger generation of Ikoro Ekiti requires having a workable vision, getting a team of people who truly key into it and driving it forward with character, commitment, creativity, courage, and unwavering passion. According to Benjamin Disraeli: “The secret of success is constancy of purpose” which IRA has amply demonstrared
Other Nigerian communities should therefore, borrow a fresh leaf from these salutary efforts to make a change As Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations rightly noted:
” Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family”
Big kudos to IRA
