It was praises for an Okene-based youth organisation because of its laudable role in helping indigent children attain educational standards. SALIHU OYIBO reports.
The organisation which was founded 25 years ago by like-minded youth in Egbira land has become a transformative force in youth development, education and community support across Kogi state and the country.
It was originally called Association for Youth Educational Advancement (AYEA) comprising passionate school leavers with a mission to drive positive social change through education.
Twenty-five years after its creation, the organisation has not only fulfilled its mission, but has succeeded in rekindling hope in the lives of many indigent, but brilliant students who are desirous of furthering their education but couldn’t as a result of financial constraints.
Early vision
In November 1999, a group of like-minds came together and pooled their limited resources together in support of students.
Interestingly, their commitment to achieve the set goals led to the establishment of the organisation’s first programmes, which included summer classes, quiz competitions, debates and preparatory seminars for university entrance examinations otherwise known as JAMB and WAEC.
The initiative provided students with educational enrichments, while promoting critical thinking, teamwork, leadership and career readiness.
As the membership and community support grew, the organisation expanded its programmes to meet a wider range of educational needs as scholarships, mentorship programmes and textbook donations were added, alongside broader community initiatives like rehabilitation and equipping of school libraries.
To achieve this laudable objectives, alliances were formed with schools across the Kogi-central Senatorial District to support talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
During this period, the organisation was rebranded from AYEA to Corps D’ Progressives with the motto, ‘Determined to build a whole person’ with outreaches including social awareness campaigns covering critical topics such as career counseling, national census participation, civic engagement and drug abuse prevention.
The anniversary lecture
Speaking during the 25th anniversary celebration and public lecture held recently in Okene, the vice chancellor of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) Osara, Professor Abdulrahman Asipita Salawu said government alone can not provide all the needs of the citizens, stressing that the era of government doing everything has gone. He showered praises on members for complementing government’s effort in wiping tears from the eyes of less privileged in the senatorial district.
The VC used the moment to appeal towards well-meaning indigenes of the zone to help by identifying indigent, but bright school pupils and students with no financial support to be assisted through their education.
Professor Salawu who announced his membership of the organisation said, “If you train one person in education, you have trained a nation because that child would take many out of poverty, misery hardship and illiteracy.
“The Corps D’ Progressive is an organisation that lived for others to live especially the less privileged. I cannot thank them enough; I am sure that this collective effort and selfless efforts would never go unnoticed.”
In his presentation titled, ‘The Place of Education in Unlocking Possibilities for Human Capital Development in Kogi State’ he noted that education is the key that unlocks doors of opportunities, empowers individuals and contributes meaningfully to the development of communities and the nation.
He said over the last few years, Corps D’ Progressives has been a beacon of hope, tirelessly working to promote education and human capital development and that the unwavering commitment has left indelible marks in the state.
In his call to action, the VC urged the state government to prioritise education, policy reforms and infrastructural development while also charging the private sector on initiatives to provide resources, expertise and opportunities for skills development.
“Civil society organisations should advocate for educational rights and support community-led initiatives.”
Royal blessing
The Ohinoyi of Egbira land His Royal Majesty Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Anaje who was represented by the Ohi of Adavi HRH Bello Mohammed Ireyi congratulated the organisation for 25 worthy years for humanity.
The paramount ruler stated that education is the only thing that makes a bright future; therefore urged parents prioritise their wards education.
“I congratulates the leadership of Corps D’ Progressive for holding themselves together for 25 years.
“Success is about establishing a plan and pursue it vigorously even in the face of challenges. I am urging you to commence another stage of planing for the next 25 years.”
Association’s president speaks
In his speech, president of the organisation, Mr Yunusa Jimoh stated that it has a vision to build a complete man that would contribute to the society.
Reeling out some of the achievements of the group, Jimoh said in the 25 years, it has evolved into a beacon of hope and inspiration, setting a foundation for a brighter future for the zone.
“Through our initiatives, we have continuously laid the groundwork for empowering individuals and serving as a model of progress and compassion. Throughout the 25 years, Corps D’ Progressive has been a force for positive change and our programmes have provided essential support to students from primary through tertiary institutions, empowered widows and uplifted vulnerable men and women in Kogi-central,” he stated.
He announced the conferment of awards on some icons that have used their different offices to contribute to the development of education in the state.
Among the recipients were the state commissioner for education, Wemi Jones, Prof Salawu and the vice chancellor, Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba, Prof Marietu Tenuche.
Also conferred were the rector, Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, Prof Salisu Usman Ogbo; special adviser on education to the governor, Abdulmalik Abdullahi; auditor general for local government, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege and the special adviser to the governor on media, Ismaila Isah.
In his remarks, the pioneer president of the organisation Ismaila Isah stated that the organisation has been consistent in inspiring young people to take education seriously as a tool for unlocking possibilities in line with the theme of the anniversary.
“We have been able to encourage schools to support students through the provision of instructional materials. We have been able to equip libraries in over 50 schools across Egbira land and have been able to support over 1000 students to pursue higher education.
“In the next 25 years, we would strive to harness these critical mass of the young people who have acquired education to make head ways in their endeavours so that together we can team up to make the society a better place for all.”
The benefit of education
Speaking on the wrong assertion that education is a scam, the special adviser to the governor on media said, “The statement is far from the truth because nobody on this earth can underestimated the power of education. From the statement of the speakers in this occasion, they alluded to the fact that nothing can readily be achieved without education.
“In this part of Nigeria, we are all witnesses to the fact that there is only one marchant family in the whole of Egbira land and that is the Atta family. Even that family could not depend solely on their wealth to propel the next generation. What they did was to invest heavily in the education of their children; that was why the next generation of the family was able to lead the light not only in Kwara state but in the entire north.
“So education is really the key to unlocking possibilities for development. It would not only be a deception but far from the truth to assume that education is a scam. Whether we like it or not, education has proved the difference between light and darkness especially in Africa.”
