Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Nureni Adeniran, has called on teachers and parents to work closely in shaping the future of pupils, stressing that early guidance is key to unlocking children’s potential.
Adeniran made the call on Thursday at Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, Oke-Foko, Ibadan, during the unveiling of the “Catch Them Young” project, a grassroots initiative aimed at identifying and nurturing talents among pupils in public primary schools across Oyo State.
The programme, supported by Brightlens Media Network, seeks to discover, mentor and mainstream exceptional abilities among young learners, while promoting strong moral values.
The SUBEB chairman, who is an alumnus of the school, attended the morning assembly alongside the lawmaker representing Ibadan South West II in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Oluwafemi Fowokanmi, and the political head of Ibadan West Local Government Development Area, Hon. Tajudeen Adigun.
Their appearance in school uniforms created excitement among pupils and staff.
Addressing the pupils, Adeniran recalled his years at the school and urged them not to allow their background or environment to limit their dreams.
“If some of us passed through this same school and made it to where we are today, then you can become even greater,” he said.
He expressed confidence that public primary schools would continue to produce future professionals and leaders, including doctors, engineers, governors and presidents.
Reflecting on developments since he assumed office in 2019, Adeniran said public schools in the state have witnessed significant improvements in infrastructure and learning conditions.
“When I came in, many schools lacked basic facilities. Today, we have renovated classrooms, fenced school premises and improved learning environments,” he said.
He added that the state’s free education policy had boosted enrolment, with many out-of-school children returning to classrooms.
While commending government interventions, the SUBEB chairman stressed that parents also have a critical role to play.
“Education is free, but parents must ensure their children are clothed, fed and provided with books. This is their future,” he said.
He also shared personal experiences on how parental guidance and teacher support shaped his life, urging families to pay attention to both the academic and moral development of their wards.
In their separate remarks, Hon. Fowokanmi and Hon. Adigun commended the initiative, noting that most school-age children attend public schools, making early intervention crucial to educational development.
They pledged continued support for policies and programmes aimed at strengthening basic education in Oyo State.
The “Catch Them Young” project is designed to curb declining moral standards while fostering creativity, leadership and innovation among pupils, laying a strong foundation for sustainable human capital development in the state.
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