Makinde Flags Off Distribution Of Motorcycles, 72,000 Notebooks To Oyo Schools

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has flagged off the distribution of motorcycles to School Support Officers (SSOs) and School Mobilisation Officers (SMOs), as well as 72,000 notebooks to learners across the 33 local government areas of the state.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, on Monday, the intervention is being implemented under the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) AF TESS Project to strengthen basic education in the state.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Barrister Bayo Lawal, at the flag-off ceremony held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan, said the initiative reflected his administration’s commitment to making education more accessible, inclusive and effective.

Makinde said the motorcycles would enable school support and mobilisation officers to reach communities more promptly, describing the officers as a critical link between schools, families and communities.

He said the officers play important roles in identifying out-of-school children, encouraging enrolment and retention, and ensuring that children have access to education.

On the distribution of 72,000 notebooks, the governor said access to basic learning materials would improve pupils’ participation in lessons and make it easier for them to complete their schoolwork.

He said the BESDA AF TESS intervention complements broader efforts by the state government and its partners to strengthen basic education and improve learning outcomes across Oyo State.

Makinde urged beneficiaries to use the motorcycles responsibly and strictly for official duties, stressing that they are public assets entrusted to them to serve communities. He also called on parents, school authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders to work with the officers to ensure the intervention benefits the children who need it most.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education Intervention, Oloye Suraj Abiola Tiamiy, said the intervention would strengthen school-community linkages, improve enrolment and attendance, and help officers identify and return out-of-school children to school.

Tiamiy disclosed that the BESDA AF TESS Project had also distributed 18,000 tablets to teachers and renovated 209 public primary schools across the state, describing the initiatives as investments in teachers, schools and communities.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Olufemi Okesola appreciated the state government and pledged to use the motorcycles and other intervention materials effectively for monitoring and educational activities across the state.