By Gideon Ayodele.
Raphael Arokoyo Foundation (RAF) has donated educational materials to pupils in Kabba/Bunu local government area of Kogi state.
The materials were distributed to public primary and secondary schools on September 4 and November 2, 2022.
Speaking with newsmen in Kabba, after the distribution exercise, the Director of RAF, Dr. Raphael Arokoyo said the decision to support pupils with the items was borne out of a desire to give back to the society and encourage the pupils in their academic pursuit.
“I am always compassionate seeing the less privileged in my community, so when God blessed me I decided to give back to society.
“Our target as a foundation is to transform lives in any way we can and this is just one of the ways we believe we can use to support life.
“We have also inaugurated scholarships for indigent students in tertiary institutions. At the moment, some of those students are been sponsored for four or five years till they finish their respective programs,” he said.
Raphael Arokoyo Foundation distributed learning materials to eighteen primary schools in the council area.
The beneficiary schools include St. Mary Primary School, St. Joseph CAC Primary School, St. Clement Primary School, Demonstration Primary School, LGEA Model Nursery & Primary School, and Demonstration UBE School, all in the ancient Kabba town on the first day.
The foundation further visited St. Paul 1, Immanuel 1 Kabba and All Saints Primary School, Okebukun.
Materials donated included school sandals, socks, exercise books and other items.
Raphael Arokoyo Foundation also visited three oldest secondary schools in Kabba town and made a generous donation of MFP M130a Laserjet Printer to each of the schools.
The benefitting schools are Saint Monica’s College, Saint Augustine’s College and Saint Barnabas Secondary Schools, all in Kabba.
In their separate reactions, the Head Teachers of the schools commended Raphael Arokoyo Foundation for the items.
It was an emotional response when the foundation visited Saint Augustine’s College as Mrs Sedemogun reminded the Director of his philanthropic gesture in 2013 when she ran to him to help pay WAEC examination fee for an orphan which will close the following day.
She thanked the director for helping the boy that day, while also announcing that the boy is now a graduate today and doing well for himself.
The principal of Saint Augustin’s College, Mr. Emmanuel Abolusoro while commending Dr. Arokoyo Raphael for all his efforts at reaching out to schools said “it is rare to see your type these days as even indigenes who are far richer than you never care to offer help even when called upon”.
Also giving commendation to the foundation, Mrs Dare Dada Dupe who received the foundation as the Principal of St. Monica’s College, prayed for God’s blessings upon the foundation as she expressed her joy and appreciation.