Princess Olanrewaju Osibote, founder of the Margaret Modinat Foundation (MMF), has called on the government to do more to support pupils in public schools. She made this call on Monday during the 2024 Children’s Day celebration organised by MMF at Agege Stadium, Lagos, where children from seven public primary schools in Agege were celebrated.
According to Osibote, “When we visited the schools, we noticed that many of the children there are doing very well, even better than those in private schools. If the government can look into that, it will be very beneficial. We should not forget that most of the people in government today at one time or another passed through public schools; so they should invest more in these schools so that the pupils can also be useful tomorrow.”
Osibote further explained that the foundation was named after her late mother, intending to carry on her legacy of giving. “My mother was a real giver. She had a passion for humanity, so after her death, I decided to carry on her legacy. When I was younger, I always looked forward to Children’s Day. I remember dancing and doing other activities, but today it’s not common in public schools. Initially, I was scared if I would be able to manage the population, but with the support from some of my friends, it was a success.”
Hon. Kehinde Olaide Joseph, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who was a guest at the event, expressed his appreciation to the organiser. “I want to thank MMF for celebrating our children today and to also encourage us that the future is bright. I’m urging parents to let their children go to school because no matter how creative a child is, without education, they will be limited. I also want to encourage all cheerful givers in our society to emulate what this foundation is doing and replicate it in other local governments.”
Speaking on behalf of the disabled pupils, Mr. Raji Muritala Olamilekan, Head of Department at Amosun Primary and Inclusive Unit, Agege, expressed gratitude and called for public support. “We handle children with different disabilities like autism, Down syndrome, and hearing impairments. As their disabilities vary, so do their needs. We should not look down on them or conclude that nothing good can come out of them. Those who can acquire skills will no longer depend on people for the rest of their lives,” he said.
Sango Primary School won first place and received a trophy in the match pass competition, while Local Government Primary School and Keke Primary School came second and third, respectively. The event also featured various activities such as dancing, a fashion parade, and ball-picking competitions.
Through her foundation and events like the Children’s Day celebration, Princess Olanrewaju Osibote continues to champion the cause of public education and support for children, emphasising the need for collective efforts to enhance their future.
