Wife of the Kwara State governor, Olufolake AbdulRazaq, in collaboration with the Sandal Initiative Project (SIP), has distributed footwear to needy pupils in  selected public schools in the state as schools resume.

Speaking during the presentation of the footwear in Ilorin on Monday, Mrs AbdulRazaq said that the initiative was to ease the burden of parents and guardians in providing school items ahead of the new academic session.

She said that for many children, attending school comes with the daily challenge of blistered feet from worn-out slippers, which often cause discomfort and distraction in class.

The governor’s wife noted that in some cases pupils were forced to make heartbreaking decisions of not attending school because they lacked proper footwear.

According to her, the distribution of the footwear symbolised more than comfort.

“It  symbolises  the commitment of the state and the Ajike People Support Centre at ensuring that every child walks confidently into the classroom,” she said.

Also, the state Commissioner for Education, Lawal Olohungbebe, said the footwear was produced in Ilorin.

He said, “This indicates part of the efforts by the state government to promote local content in Nigeria and in Kwara, particularly. The initiative would sustain attendance and increase enrolment in schools. Things as little as school shoes have resulted in some pupils staying away from school. This initiative is commendable because we cannot overemphasise what footwear means to the children of the needy. This is giving the needy what they need.’’

The convener of the Sandal Initiative Project (SIP), Ibrahim Kale-Jimoh, said that the project was to promote punctuality and reduce low self-esteem among students.

Some  of the  students who benefited from the gesture, Tunmise Oyeniyi and Ayuba Amos, expressed gratitude to the sponsors of the initiative.

According to the pupils, it will cater to their need of having befitting footwear for the new school session.

Oyeniyi said, “It feels good to know that I have a new pair of sandals to start the new academic session. I am grateful to the governor’s wife and the SIP project.’’

(NAN)