Why I began quiz competition in Ondo – Daudu

An Ondo-based philanthropist, Dr. Funmilola Williams Daudu, has said that she began the Worthy Purpose Foundation annual quiz competition for secondary schools in Ondo State to revive academic decadence in public schools.

Dr. Daudu said two students that participated in the premier edition of the quiz competition have gotten admission into universities through support from the foundation.

Speaking at the finals of the second edition of the quiz competition, Dr. Daudu said students in public schools would do better in competitions if equipped with the right tools.

She stated that she planned to extend the programme to all the 18 local government areas of the state.

“This is the second edition. We started last year with Akoko Northwest. This year we expanded it to cover Akoko Northwest and Akoko Northeast. We are planning to extend it to all parts of Ondo State.

“In this part of the state, we observed that no teacher in the public schools. The performances of students in public schools were poor last year. None of the public schools in this town got to the finals but his year, we decided to get contract teachers to coach them. The wife of the king also supported and a public school from this town came third position in this second edition.”

In the competition, Akoko Anglican Grammar School, Arigidi Akoko took the first position, Mount Carmel Girls Secondary School, Ikare came second position while Otolomi High School, Ikaram took third position.

The traditional ruler of Ikaram, Oba Andrew Momodu, the Akala of Ikaram, who spoke at the event commended the organizers for the initiative noting that it is a challenge for them to work hard. He further called on Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to make the recruitment of teachers into public schools an annual event.

Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council, Federal University of Lafia, Nassarawa State, Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa, said the country’s education system could still be salvaged if the government showed will and dedication, adding that the public concern for education was at its lowest ebb.