16th January, 2017
No fewer than 13 persons received merit awards from the Irepodun Local Government Education Authority in Kwara for their outstanding contributions to the development of the council area.
Each of the recipients received a plaque at a ceremony in Omu-Aran to mark the second edition of the Guidance and Counseling Unit Award Series tagged: ‘Reputable Award’.
Mr Aransiola Olusola, the head of the unit, said that the award recipients were honoured for their professionalism, exemplary leadership and reputable innovations in their various fields.
Some of the awardees include Dr Olowonirejuaro Olayinka, the Provost, College of Education, Oro, Chief Adeoye Abdulganeey, Elder Oguntoye Raphael, elder Joseph Ibitoye, Elder Adeniyi Reuben and Elder Oladunmade Olatunde.
Others are Elder Abogunrin Alfred, Mrs Olanrewaju A. O, Alhaja Adefila Sherifat, Mrs Owolabi Adenike, Comrade Alabi S.T. and Comrade Akanbi Oluwarotimi.
Olusola said the award initiative remained a veritable platform for rewarding diligence and excellence in service.
“The whole essence is to spur people, especially those involved in managing government affairs, in giving their best in the discharge of their responsibilities,” Aransiola said.
He enumerated part of the unit’s achievement to include school rehabilitation projects at both the primary and secondary levels.
Others are production of copies of video CDs on Career Guidance and Sexually Transmitted Diseases to educate students on dangers in engaging in illicit acts.
Olusola said the unit had also embarked on the building and equipping the unit’s resource centre expected to gulp N1.5 million.
He listed inadequate funding as one of the major challenges confronting the unit.
“It has been very difficult due to lack of funds to impact adequately on the targeted populace across towns and other remote villages within the council area,” he said.
Chief Adebisi Dosunmu, the Education Secretary in the council, described the unit as a driving force in the areas of counseling, education and human capital development.
“The role of the unit to me is very crucial at this critical period of our nation building.
“Our youths need more counseling and tutoring on dangers of drug abuse, cultism and other anti-social vices,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the awardees, Alhaji Abdulganneey thanked the organisers for their foresight and urged them to maintain the tempo.