The National Association of Seadogs, also known as the Pyrates Confraternity, Ash Montana Deck, Abeokuta, has launched a community-based Back-to-School project. The initiative aims to support vulnerable children aged 6 to 12 in rural communities by distributing educational materials. The project was implemented in partnership with Atlantis, Aftashok, Grundziro, and Hispaniola Decks. The event took place in Ajura community and its environs in Obafemi-Owode Local Council of Ogun State.
The educational materials, which included school bags, notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, and water bottles, were given to learners from St. John Anglican Primary School, Ajura; Orile-Igbore Grammar School, Ajura; and Ilupeju Community Primary School, Ita-Ijaiye. A total of 13 other neighbouring communities also benefited from the project. The Capoon, Ash Montana Deck, Eromosele Okoghe, stated that the intervention was designed to ease the financial burden of back-to-school preparations on parents and guardians.
Okoghe emphasized that the distribution of educational materials would help reduce the number of out-of-school children and prevent students from dropping out of school. He noted that when children lack basic educational materials, they are more likely to contribute to the growing number of out-of-school children or resort to street hawking and thuggery. The consequences of such educational deprivation extend beyond the affected child, with the entire community ultimately bearing the cost.
The Capoon stressed that the burden of basic education should not rest on the government alone but rather be a collective effort to achieve regular school attendance for children and champion lifelong literacy. He added that the association would explore ways to address the transportation challenges faced by students in rural schools, especially those who travel long distances on foot to attend classes.
Okoghe urged parents and guardians to keep their children in school and community leaders to encourage and support them in taking their education seriously. He charged the students to make judicious use of the educational materials, describing education as a powerful tool for overcoming poverty. Okoghe also emphasized that denying a child access to basic education would cripple the community and sabotage national progress.
The Zonal Education Officer, Obafemi-Owode Local Council, Mr. Kareem Adegbola, represented by Mrs. Ebunoluwa Aranmolate, urged the students to make proper use of the educational materials provided. He also cautioned that the materials should not be diverted for other purposes by parents or guardians. The Olu of Ajuraland, Oba Kassim Adebukola, thanked the association for the initiative and appealed to the Capoon to sustain and replicate the programme in the community.
The Pyrates Confraternity's initiative is an effort to address the issue of out-of-school children in Ogun State. The organization's project is built on the theme: “Forging the Future: A Collective Mandate to Eradicate Educational Exclusion”. By providing educational materials and support, the Pyrates Confraternity aims to make a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable children in rural communities.
Key points
- The Pyrates Confraternity distributed educational materials to students in Ogun State to support vulnerable children and reduce the number of out-of-school children.
- The initiative was implemented in partnership with other decks to provide school supplies, including school bags, notebooks, and pens.
- The project aims to promote regular school attendance and champion lifelong literacy among children in rural communities.
