Professor Kola Adebayo, the Chairman, Sustainable Livelihoods and Development Network for Africa (SLIDENAFRICA), a non-governmental, non-profit making international organization basedin Nigeria with offices in other African countries committed to the empowerment of the poor in Africa, has donated learning materials to the pupils of public primary schools in Oyo and Ogun states.

The schools are Samuel Ayodele MemorialPrimary School, Molete, Ibadan Oyo state and Odeda Local Government (OLG)Primary School, Alagbede, Abeokuta, Ogun state.

In his speech during the distribution, Prof Adebayo through his representative said the donation was part of the Educational Development Support Programme of the organization which is geared towards improving and supporting access to quality education inAfrica and the learning materials would motivate the pupils to regularly attend school, learn and improve their academic performance.

He commented that SLIDENAfrica has a mandate to alleviate poverty in the African continent hence, said the organization would continue to provide educational development support for school pupils and students in Africa to ensure that they obtain basic education and development of skills in various trades.

He added that quality access to education translates to economic empowerment which will definitely facilitate development in the country.

In her, remarks the HeadTeacher of Samuel Ayodele Memorial Primary School, Mrs Adenike Adekunle emblazoned the support of SLIDEN Africa to her school which she said has reduced the number of out of school pupils and continually increased school enrolment on yearly basis.

She added that this is due to the fact that parents and guardians (especially the less privileged) in Molete and its environs have become aware of the yearly educational support of SLIDEN Africa to the school.She further added that they have the consciousness that enrolling their children/wards in the school would relieve them of financial/economic burden of accessing basic education.

She enjoined the pupils to emulate Prof Adebayo who was a pupil like them in the school but as distinguished himself among others by constantly supporting his Alma Mata.

Receiving the learning materials, The Head Teacher, OLG Primary school, Mr Suleman Ajayi commended SLIDEN Africa for the continuous support given to the school. He said since the commencement of the Educational Support Programme to the school, the teachers have been encouraged to impact knowledge in the pupils.

He also commented that the parents have been relieved of the financial burden of procuring learning materials for their children/wards which has denied some children access to basic education in the past, as most parents could not afford the learning materials needed by the pupils thereby increasing the number of out of school children.

The pupils were overwhelmed with joy, danced and sang praises of SLIDEN Africa. Speaking on behalf of the pupils, the Head boy at OLG Primary School, Adeniran Samuel expressed profound gratitude to SLIDEN Africa for always supporting their educational development at this very crucial stage. He opined that children are like wet cement; whatever falls on them makes an impression and gives them a perception about life.

He added that SLIDEN Africa, an international organization of repute, has given them an impression that they are valuable assets and they will not jettison every effort of SLIDEN Africa to ensure that they have access to education as it remains the only way for economic empowerment. He concluded that they look forward to more supports from SLIDEN Africa.