The students of Methodist Grammar School, Bodija, Ibadan could not hide their joy when the recreational games lounge was commissioned yesterday by the Founder of an NGO, Baby Blue Angels Foundation who is also the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Makinde on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Ramata Agberemi Dabo popularly known as RAD.
The gaming lounge equipped with many educational games like scrabbles, chess, monopoly, and others was commissioned inside the school premises.
Ramata while speaking through her representative, Hon. Kobiowu Aminat said, the idea behind the launching of the games lounge was to nurture and bring out God-gifted talents from the young kids especially the students with disabilities in the school.
She said she was inspired by the famous Chess Master, Tunde Onakoya who has carved a niche for himself in the world of chess and as part of the initiative of Oyo State First Lady, Her Excellency, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde who has always been a source of inspiration to women in leadership.
“There are many talented kids here who need a little push up to be able to discover their talents and showcase them to the world but they are being constrained due to lack of resources or avenue to nurture their God’s gifted talents, and that is the reason why we are commissioning this lounge for the students with disabilities to be able to discover their abilities as they say there is ability in disability”.
“I therefore use this medium to thank our role model, the First Lady of Oyo State, Her Excellency, Mrs, Tamunominini Makinde who has been a source of inspiration to me. Also, I express my appreciation to the the Secretary of Alumni of Methodist Grammar School, Barrister Ebony for her usual support towards the realization of the dream.
The Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Education, Hon. Tajudeen Tiamiyu who was a guest at the event commended Chief RAD for the laudable initiative he has embarked on, he said he has known Hon. Ramata as a great philanthropist who has helped many less privileged in various capabilities.
He thereafter hinted on the disposition of Governor Makinde in repositioning education sector, and part of which is the recently approved interventionist project launched to rehabilitate some selected secondary schools and Methodist Grammar School was selected as part of the schools to be rehabilitated in the first phase of the exercise.
In her remarks, the Principal of Methodist Grammar School, Mrs. Etadon while speaking appreciated the kind gesture of Chief Ramata Agberemi Dabo and likened her to one of the notable alumni of the school they are always proud of.
She said the initiative was imperative at this era where skills and talents have taken the centre stage and such idea will in no doubt help the students with disabilities to be able to discover their talents and also help them to concentrate on their studies because the game house is equipped with various forms of educational games and activities aimed at enhancing cognitive skills and promoting healthy interactions among students.
The game lounge was commissioned and the students with disabilities engaged in a brief competition with guests while the Special Adviser on Education was taken around for needs assessment on dilapidated infrastructures in the school.