Ogun State pupils have been encouraged to keep their eyes on their books and their minds on the future, as the Chairman of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Joshua Ifede, charged them to prioritise learning over distractions and take full advantage of opportunities that education brings.
Speaking during a colourful presentation ceremony in Abeokuta , Ifede reminded pupils that education remains the surest pathway to success and self-reliance. He said the state government is deepening its collaboration with corporate organisations and generous individuals to ensure that every child in Ogun State has access to quality education.
The event witnessed the donation of 13,500 branded exercise books, 750 chairs and desks, and 200 cartons of Geisha food products to schoolchildren across the state by JFE Shoji Corporation and Kawasho Foods Corporation, two Japanese companies with a long history of supporting educational development in Nigeria.
Commending the donors, Ifede described their gesture as a “gift of hope” that transcends physical materials.
“Our partners have once again demonstrated their belief in the Nigerian child,” he said. “These 13,500 exercise books, 750 pieces of furniture, and 200 cartons of Geisha products are more than items — they’re seeds sown into the future of our children. This is not charity; it is an investment in leadership.”
He added that this was the eighth consecutive year the companies have supported Ogun SUBEB’s initiatives, reflecting a sustained partnership that blends private goodwill with public purpose.
Ifede reaffirmed that the state government under Governor Dapo Abiodun remains steadfast in building a robust education system where every child, regardless of background, can thrive.
“Education is the foundation on which the future stands,” he said. “We want our pupils to seize every opportunity, stay focused, and remember that their future depends on the choices they make today.”
The event concluded with cheers from pupils and teachers, as desks and books were distributed a symbolic reminder that learning, when properly supported, can change lives and shape destinies.
