The Executive Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area, Hon. Dr Seyi Jakande, has urged pupils in public primary schools across the LCDA to return to the new academic session with renewed commitment, declaring that “back to school” must translate to “back to studies.”

Jakande gave the charge on Monday, 14 September 2026, while monitoring the distribution of back-to-school kits to pupils across public primary schools in the LCDA as schools resumed for the new academic session.

The monitoring exercise followed the official launch of the council’s back-to-school initiative at the council secretariat on Thursday, with the chairman personally visiting schools to ensure that the materials reached the intended beneficiaries.

The chairman commenced his tour by joining the free school ride at Ilupeju Secondary School, where he interacted with students and encouraged them to embrace education as a pathway to a better future.

During the exercise, selected pupils received recharge cards bearing messages of support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election to take home to their parents, particularly those who came to school with their previous year’s Jako school bags for proper maintenance. 

Other pupils received recharge cards after answering trivia questions correctly during the chairman’s interactive sessions, turning the school visits into both educational and engaging moments.

Addressing the pupils, Jakande said the holiday period was over and that students must now redirect their attention from entertainment to academic excellence.

“You are back to school, and it should be back to studies. The holiday is over. It is time to study. No more playing games or watching television late into the night. This is another year for you to advance in your studies, and it must begin right now,” he said.

He urged the pupils to attend classes regularly, listen attentively to their teachers, complete their assignments and obey school authorities, stressing that discipline and dedication were critical to achieving academic success.

Jakande explained that his administration’s educational programmes were designed to give children a solid educational foundation, noting that success at higher levels of learning begins with getting the basics right at the primary school level.

“Everything you are being taught now is preparing you for higher learning. If you do not get it right here, it may become difficult later. So, you must get it right from primary school,” the chairman stated.

As he moved from one school to another, Jakande monitored the distribution of the back-to-school kits, comprising school bags, exercise books, pen and pencil sets, and food flasks.

The initiative is aimed at supporting parents, easing the financial burden associated with school resumption and ensuring that pupils return to school adequately equipped for learning.

At Christ Central Primary School, the chairman also supervised the election of the Head Boy, where Adewunmi Damilare emerged as the newly elected school leader.

He later visited his alma mater, Ilupeju Community Primary School, where he interacted with pupils and teachers and reiterated the importance of seriousness, discipline and hard work in academic pursuits.

During the visit, Jakande led the pupils in singing the Yoruba school anthem and observed that many of the pupils, as well as some teachers, were unfamiliar with it. He subsequently promised to make the anthem available to the teachers so it could be properly taught to the pupils.

The chairman’s school-to-school tour reflected his administration’s determination to strengthen basic education, promote pupils’ welfare and ensure that the back-to-school initiative achieves its intended purpose.

With the distribution of the educational materials and direct engagement with pupils, Jakande reaffirmed his commitment to building a system where every child is given the opportunity to learn, develop and succeed.