The Reconnect community group, a non-profit organization has held the first edition of its Essay Competition tagged Reconnect Essay Award Competition for primary schools in the Coker Aguda Local Development Area and Surulere Local Government Area in Lagos.
The award presentation event featured essay reading, and diverse citations on topical issues that range from education, culture/tradition, peace, and unity of Nigeria.
Executive Secretary, Surulere Local Government, Mr Tunde Awoyetu disclosed that the assistance given to the Local Government in refurbishing schools around the community has been a laudable effort that is worthy of commendation from all.
While lauding the members of the organization for being a point of change at the grassroots, he pledged the council’s continuous support to work.
As part of the organization’s support to the schools in the community, educational materials to enhance teaching were presented to each school, with gifts given to the prize winners and runners-up at different levels to further enhance the learning of the pupils.
In his remark, President, Reconnect Community Organization, Azeez Butali, Professor, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa, addressed the need to encourage the young ones to help shape their development.
He said the reconnect initiative comprises Old students of Enitan, Ayetoro, Imam Shuaib, Atara, Umoru Memorial, and Animashaun Primary schools in the Coker Aguda, Surulere area of Lagos who came together socially and then transitioned to a community-based organization to give back to these schools, as well as helping as members of the organization.
“We thought about the essay competition as a way of giving back to these pupils as we know change and development should not be left to the government but a partnership with individuals and private bodies to intervene where development is lagging. We have renovated the fence of public school, toilets, gates and giving kids cash prizes on prize giving day.”
“We are giving back in terms of health insurance and doing awareness as well to the common man who is not aware of health scheme provided by the government,” he stated.
He, however, stated that the group would be providing personal professional development on financial resources as well as life insurance to members, and on the 14th of February,2024 reaching out to the orphanages as the second edition of the essay competition will be held next year in December.
He noted that the group is ready to partner with the Lagos state government, in identifying where there are challenges and how to mitigate them.
