Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has doubled down on his care for the underserved by donating a new 32-seater Toyota Coaster bus to the School for Special Needs ,Ilorin — the lone public secondary school dedicated to children in need of special education in the state.
Built on what the school authorities called a sustained pattern of dedicated support the school has received from the governor since his administration came into being in 2019, Principal of the school thanked the governor for the bus donation.
The governor also handed a new 32-seater Toyota Coaster bus to the Queen School, Ilorin — the flagship girls-only school in the state.
Presented during separate visits to their respective premises on Tuesday, both gifts were a surprise anchored on earlier requests from the two schools in question.
The governor’ s Chief Press Secretary , Mr Rafiu Ajakaye noted in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com that the presentations drew applause and excitement from the students, teachers, and those who are responsible for the management of the two schools.
Governor AbdulRazaq said the buses will aid their mobility and improve learning outcomes while adding that the state government will continue to put in place necessary facilities that will make the learning environment more enabling for the students.
‘We have to keep our eyes on the ball. The fact that they (the school) have challenges means that we need to give them attention for the sake of these children of special needs. We need to make sure that the Ministry of Education also focuses on their needs. We have about 500 students here with various special needs that our government must continue to cater for’ the governor told reporters after the formal presentation of the bus to the School for Special Needs ,Oyun, Ilorin.
‘This intervention is just additional. We have done most of what we needed to do before now. We have provided them with different learning aids and hearing machine, though we need to add more. They have requested additional street lights, which we catered for.
They had also requested for transportation support and we have given them a new bus. We will make sure their solar system works better. We will continue to deepen our support for this institution and others’ he added.
The governor urged parents and guardians to always pray for and give their children the needed support to thrive, with particular reference to children with special needs.
At the Queens School, the governor pledged to look into some other pending challenges, including the perimeter fences around the school and their electricity.
He commended the vision of the founders of the school, saying: ‘we owe them a duty to keep the flag flying’.
Alhaji Abdulganiyi Olododo, Principal , School for Special Needs, and Alhaja Rashidat Oluwakemi Abdul , Principal, Queens School, in their separate remarks, commended the governor’s good gesture and his previous efforts, while asking for more support.
Olododo described the vehicle as a memorable gift to the school.
‘I cannot thank you enough for your fatherly love and support for this school. As far as this school is concerned, your work is everywhere, from classroom to clinic, hall, water, to street light’ he said.
Alhaja Abdul said the bus donation will address their lack of functional and befitting vehicle, thanking Governor Abdulrazaq for ensuring that his government has continued to invest in the education sector.
President of the Old Students Association of Queen Elizabeth School, Dr Funke Opadokun, said she is happy with the governor’s style of governance and has always prayed for him to succeed.
She cited his administration’s strides in the education and road sectors.
‘This is my first time meeting you, but I pray for you every day. I now look forward to driving on the many roads that you have done. I live in Adewole, and from Adewole to Tanke, it will take me only eight minutes now.
I also saw the smart school at Adeta and others. I went there to dry Gari, and I had to go and turn. When I saw the structure, I asked the workers there who told me everything. For this and many others, I have since been praying that you will succeed by the special grace of God. We are so proud of what you are doing’ she added –Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
