Lagos First Lady Empowers Pupils With 50,000 Shoes

Appalled by the way some pupils of public schools turn up for classes,wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, on Tuesday started the distribution of about 50,000 shoes and branded socks to pupils in Primary I across the state.

Ambode, speaking at the Cherubim and Seraphim Primary School, Ikorodu, said the initiative was aimed at boosting the morale of the children and to sensitise the society on the importance of the welfare of pupils and to get the best out of them.

The initiative – “Project Bright Steps”, under the aegis of her pet project, Hope for Women in Nigeria, (HOFOWEM), is targeted at beneficiaries across major distribution centres.

The Centres include: Agege, Maryland, Yaba, Ojo, Amuwo-Odofin, Epe, Lagos-Island and Ikorodu; which doubles as the flag-off venue.

A total of 175,000 shoes and socks were distributed to all primary I to III pupils of public primary schools in 2016 in the first edition of the project.

According to her, “We had observed with some pain, that many pupils were less than properly dressed to school, as some turned up in bathroom slippers while many others went barefoot.

“This sort of daily appearance for school activities, certainly cannot guarantee for them the desired self-esteem, for confidence to excel in their academic work,” Ambode said.

She said the Foundation had pondered over this and settled for the mass procurement and distribution of shoes and socks to the pupils, so as to prepare them for school.

Ambode urged the pupils to be serious with their academics and not to make excuses of challenges and limitations facing them.

“You can learn something new everyday, if you listen attentively in class, and with strong determination, you can overcome all barriers to achieve your desired dream.

“Keep your eyes on the stars and feet to the ground, do small things in great ways. It is about your attitude of mind,” Ambode said.

She stressed that ‘Project Bright Steps’ was an annual event and would continue as such, to touch as many pupils as possible in public primary schools. She also said that HOFOWEM was hinged on hope with focus on issues of children, women, widows, youths, aged women and the sick.

Ambode said the Foundation carries out economic empowerment for youths, support for pregnant women and mothers of multiple births, among others.

Earlier, in a welcome address, Mrs. Oyefunke Olayinka, Chief Executive Officer of HOFOWEM, said the programme was aimed at increasing school attendance by equipping pupils for school.

Olayinka said that this would therefore, serve as a means of support for indigent parents who might find it difficult to provide the basic school needs required by their children and wards for enjoyable schooling.

She commended Bolanle Ambode for her love and care for the children, as well as her strong quest to ensure that they have a secure future.