A corp member, Udeji Felicia Ayeremhere, with state code number OS/24B/0204, has garnered widespread acclaim for her Innovative personal Community Development Project in Boluwaduro LGA, Osun State tagged ‘Imole Edu’
This initiative, which translates to “light up education” in Yoruba language, aims to improve the quality of education in public schools and instill in secondary school children greater passion for education helping them to take a different perspective towards education seeing it as a lifelong journey to success.
The “IMOLE Edu” project aligns with two key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Quality Education (SDG 4) and No Poverty (SDG 1). By advocating for a shift in the mindset of students towards education, students developing reading habits and seeing education as a lifelong learning process, the project aims to eradicate poverty of the mind, which is considered the greatest poverty of all.
On March 17, Udeji organized a student’s seminar, where over 500 students from three public schools and two private schools were empowered with various skills, including basic literacy skills, career guidance, mentorship opportunities, and public speaking skills. The seminar was a huge success, with students showing great enthusiasm and interest in the topics discussed. The participating schools included Kiriji Memorial College, Igbajo, Igbajo Community High School, Oke-Irun Community Secondary School, Shining Secondary School and Yetunde Bamigboye School, all in Igbajo Community, Osun state.
In addition to the student’s seminar, Udeji also organized a teacher’s training program in Igbajo Community. The training, which was attended by over 20 teachers from all the schools that participated in the students seminar.
Here teachers were empowered on vital topics which includes: emotional intelligence skills, classroom management skills, and techniques to make learning more fun, engaging, and interactive for students. Experienced educators from Igbajo Polytechnic facilitated the training, sharing their expertise and experiences with the participants. The teachers also had the opportunity to share their own experiences and challenges, and exchange ideas on how to make teaching more effective.
The “IMOLE EDU” project has been widely praised by various stakeholders, including the reverend Queen of the community, Olori Sophia Olayemi Makinde. The queen publicly commended Udeji for her outstanding efforts, praising her for putting together an initiative that will positively impact the lives of future generations to come. The administrative heads of the participating schools, the deputy rector of Igbajo Polytechnic, Mr. Okandeji Monsuru Ade, and Dr. Oyedepo Adebayo, a pioneer lecturer and HOD Statistics department, Igbajo Polytechnic, among others, also commended her.
Udeji has taken significant steps to ensure the project’s sustainability. She has established reading and press clubs in participating schools, organized excursion visits for students to the community radio station- Tungba FM, and encouraged school management to implement regular training programs for teachers. These initiatives will have a lasting impact on the community.
The “IMOLE Edu” project is a testament to Udeji’s dedication to making a positive difference in her host community. With its innovative approach and alignment with the SDGs, this project serves as a model for future initiatives aimed at improving education and promoting sustainable development. By empowering students and teachers, Udeji’s project is shining a light on the importance of quality education in Osun State.