Ibala Ijesa, a community in Obokun local government area of Osun State, has expressed utmost appreciation for the rehabilitation of 3 unit classroom block at Saint James Anglican School.
The project was supported by the Osun State Steering Committee on Child Labour in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) through ACCEL Africa, Sponsored by the Government of Netherlands.
The Onibala of Ibala Ijesa, His Royal Highness, Oba Christopher Adegboyega Ariyo, on Wednesday, said the project will bring succour to the community.
Oba Ariyo who was represented by Mr. Komolafe Ibrahim added that the community would forever be indebted to all that worked together to resuscitate the block.
“Ọba Ariyo himself canvasses for enrollment of these students in school. As a progressive minded person. He facilitated the installation of a network mass so we have full service signals on our phones.”
Ms. Vannessa Phala, Country Director for International Labour Organization (ILO), Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone expressed her happiness in the fulfillment of the project.
She said, “I am very happy about achievements we have made in Osun State. I am happy today that some of our beneficiaries are getting equipment to help them start their businesses. (This will) improve their livelihood.
“I am also very happy to open our newly renovated block and handed it over to the school teachers and the parents. These are great achievements for us. I’m sure working together with members of the community with the representatives of different ministries, members of the Child Labour, Steering Committee; we will do more.
“This is the most important intervention because it is about eliminating Child Labour. We need to work together to see that children stay in school. The community should try to patronize them so they can sell their products and really sustain their businesses in order to support their families.”
The ILO country Director subsequently added that the more works would be done in the community.
Furthermore, the National Project Coordinator for the ILO, ACCEL Africa Project in Nigeria, Agatha Kolawole said, “the project is set to eradicate Child Labour in the Cocoa and Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) sector. Here in Ibala we have been enrolled and support 50 children in school with uniforms, school bags, school sandals, notebooks, pens, textbooks among others. We also trained teachers.
“We are empowering 29 parents of children in this school so they can continue to sustain their children in school,” Agatha said.
In addition, Mrs Funmilayo Ayinla who is the Osun State Controller of Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment stated that the rehabilitation project is tilt towards eradication of Child Labour in the state.
“It’s timely, highly commendable and to stop child labour. The children should not be hawking when they suppose to be in the classroom.
“We also empowered the parents so they will be able to provide for these children,” she said.
Also, Mr. Adeyeye Adeyoju who is the Community Child Labour Monitoring Committee (CCLMC) of Ibala Community said, “We are grateful and happy this project come to the fore. We thank all that participated therein.. This is something we have not seen before. Some of our children who had gone to different places to school are returning. They are returning en masse and I pray to God that they all return.”
Mrs. Abe Rachel Omolayo, the Head teacher in the school said project is commendable as well as timely.
“This project is very interesting and wonderful. We commend efforts of the ILO and others who collaborated to make this happen. They are wonderful people. I pray may God continue to bless them. They will continue to excel.
“The school witnessed increase in the number of students. They gave them uniforms, sandals, school bags, textbooks, socks, even pants; and these encourage the parents to return their children to the school.”
Mrs. Omolayo however added that the school needs help on renovation of the other two classroom blocks as well as teachers.
“If they can help us with the other two. You can see we have three blocks here and ILO has helped us with one. We have six classes and three teacher; a teacher attends to two classes simultaneously. I wish we can get more teachers on board.”
The beneficiaries appreciated the ILO and the Osun State Steering Committee on the elimination of child labour.
Empowerment equipment distributed included grinding machines, sewing machines, weaving machines, hairdressing, provision among others.
