Makinde Distributes Motorcycles, Notebooks Across 33 Oyo LGs

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has flagged off the distribution of motorcycles to School Support Officers and School Mobilisation Officers, alongside 72,000 notebooks to learners across the state’s 33 local government areas.

The intervention is being implemented under the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) AF TESS Project as part of efforts to strengthen basic education, improve enrolment and attendance, and provide essential learning materials to pupils.

Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, 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.

He said the motorcycles would enable education officers to reach communities more efficiently, identify out-of-school children, encourage enrolment and retention, and strengthen links between schools, families and communities.

Makinde also said the distribution of 72,000 notebooks would give pupils access to basic learning materials needed to participate effectively in lessons and complete their schoolwork.

The governor urged beneficiaries to use the motorcycles responsibly and strictly for official duties, stressing that they were public assets entrusted to them to serve communities.

He also called on parents, school authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders to cooperate with education officers to ensure that more children are enrolled, attend school regularly and remain in education.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education Intervention, Suraj Abiola Tiamiy, said the initiative would strengthen school-community linkages while improving enrolment and attendance.

Tiamiy disclosed that the BESDA AF TESS Project had also distributed 18,000 tablets to teachers and renovated 209 public primary schools across Oyo State.

He described the interventions as investments in teachers, schools and communities, adding that improving access to quality education requires collaboration among government, parents and community stakeholders.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Olufemi Okesola appreciated the state government and pledged that the motorcycles and other intervention materials would be used effectively for monitoring and educational activities.

The event was attended by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Segun Olayiwola; Chairperson of the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission, Olubukola Oladipo; and other education officials and stakeholders.

The state government said the latest intervention would complement ongoing efforts to improve learning conditions and ensure that more children across Oyo State have access to basic education.