Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has flagged off the distribution of motorcycles to School Support Officers (SSOs), School Mobilization Officers (SMOs), as well as 72,000 notebooks to learners under the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) AF TESS Project across the 33 local government areas of the state.
The Governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, at the event held on Monday at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan, said the intervention reflects the administration’s commitment to making education more accessible, inclusive, and effective. He described the initiative as a practical investment in the people and structures that support children’s learning.
He noted that school support and mobilisation officers serve as a critical link between schools, families, and communities. According to him, they play a vital role in identifying out of school children, encouraging enrolment and retention, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn.
The governor said, “By providing motorcycles, we are helping these officers reach communities more promptly and carry out their responsibilities with greater efficiency.”
Speaking on the distribution of 72,000 notebooks, Governor Makinde explained that access to basic learning materials will support learners and reinforce the shared commitment to improving learning conditions. He added that such materials make a real difference in pupils’ ability to participate in lessons and complete their work with ease.
He further stated that the initiative, implemented under BESDA AF TESS, complements broader efforts by the State Government and its partners to strengthen basic education and improve learning outcomes across Oyo State.
The Governor urged beneficiaries to use the motorcycles responsibly and strictly for official duties, stressing that they are public assets entrusted to them to serve communities. He also called on school authorities, parents, community leaders, and other stakeholders to collaborate with the officers to ensure the benefits reach the children who need them most.
He encouraged pupils to make good use of the learning materials, attend school regularly, and remain committed to their studies, saying: “Your education is important to your future and to the continued progress of Oyo State.”
He likewise commended the BESDA AF TESS Project team, development partners, and all stakeholders for their collaboration in advancing basic education in the state.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education Intervention, Oloye Suraj Abiola Tiamiy, said the intervention will strengthen school community linkages, improve enrolment and attendance, and enable officers to identify and return out of school children. He added that the notebooks will boost pupils’ classroom participation.
He disclosed that the BESDA AF TESS Project has also distributed 18,000 tablets to teachers to support teaching and professional development, and renovated 209 public primary schools across Oyo State, describing the initiative as a broad investment in teachers, schools, and communities.
Tiamiy commended Governor Makinde, the Ministry of Education, SUBEB, TESCOM, the BESDA AF TESS team, and development partners for their collaboration. He charged beneficiaries to use the motorcycles responsibly and ensure learning materials reach the intended pupils. He also encouraged parents, community leaders, and other education stakeholders to continue working with the officers to ensure that every enrolled child attends school regularly and receives the support needed to learn.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Olufemi Okesola appreciated the state government and pledged to use the intervention materials for effective monitoring and efficient delivery of extracurricular activities to pupils across the state.
The event was attended by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Segun Olayiwola; Chairperson, Oyo State Teaching Service Commission, Mrs. Olubukola Oladipo; and Executive Assistant to the Governor on BESDA, Hon. Olatoye Olajide Olusina, among others.
