Literacy and Basic Education Project: Rotary Club Engages Secondary School In Inter School Debate

..urges youths to save for rainy days

By Aremu Sosanya

Two frontline Rotary Clubs, Rotary Club of Abeokuta Metro and Rotary Club of Rockcity on Tuesday organized its September Literacy and Basic Education Project by organising an inter School Essay writing and Debate for Secondary Schools in Abeokuta.

The programme also witnessed series of lectures with the call on the youth, especially students to cultivate the habit of saving as they lead their parents on the road to that virtue.

In a lecture delivered by Rotarian Oyedun Omolola , the relationship manager of Unity Bank Plc, she stressed that if people saved in the banks and other financial institutions, the cycle of poverty that has gripped most people in the country would be greatly reduced.

She said saving in Banks no matter how small or big provides a safe and secure way to access money to transact business and secure a better future”,

She advised the youth to plan for their future to avoid financial problems that their parents faced.

“Learn to save in the banks to help eliminate poverty”, she said.

According to her, given the dwindling revenue in the country, every student must save from their out of pockets and the excesses to enable them cater for themselves.

Earlier in his speech, the President Rotary Club of Abeokuta Metro, Rotarian Oladapo Micheal Sanni spoke on the importance of the programme, calling on Youths and Students to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of their ethnic, religious and political affiliation.

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He said that no society can experience meaningful development in an atmosphere of rancour and confusion; hence the need for people to forget their differences and embrace peace.

He advised students to respect constituted authorities, shun social vices and violence at all times in the interest of peace and socio-economic development of the country

The president assured members of the Rotary Clubs that the body will continue to key in to people’s oriented programmes so as to better their standard of living

The Essay and Debate Competition with the theme, “Fuel Subsidy Removal, an Overdue Cankerworm On Nigeria Economy’ had Ten Secondary Schools participating.

Among the Schools were Abeokuta Girls Grammar School, St Peters College, Olomore, African Church Grammar School, Ita Eko, Nobel Home College, Obasanjo Hill top, and Buckswood School Kobape Abeokuta.

Others were Agunbiade Victory High School, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, Egba Comprehensive High School, Asero, Baptist Boys High School, Saje and Omolaja Sodipo Memorial High School, Onikolobo, Abeokuta.

At the end of the competition, African Church Grammar School, Ita Eko Abeokuta went home with the first price, while Buckswood School came second.

Speaking to Our Correspondent on the importance of the day, the President of Rotary Club, Rockcity, Rotarian Gbolagoke Oluleke Adebiyi said the September, Rotary Basic Education and Literacy Month, is an excellent time for Rotary members and clubs to be actively involved in their local communities.

He said the day is set aside to gather Support for basic education and literacy which is an area where all members can be proactive in a variety of ways and at different levels, and make a positive impact in their own community.

“Literacy is a key predictor of an individual’s success and a significant indicator of a community’s general welfare. The ability to read – fluently and with comprehension – is the doorway to success in school and in life.

“The opportunities to make a difference through education are varied and many: advocacy for early childhood education, inspiring reading skills for struggling students, providing after school academic support or reinforcement, ensuring access to quality education for students with disabilities, supporting adult literacy programs (especially among immigrant communities), or offering opportunities for incarcerated youth or adults to learn to read.

While expressing their appreciation, the participating schools thanked Rotary Clubs of Abeokuta Metro and Rockcity for changing the narrative and putting smiles on the faces of the school children.