Ominini Makinde: Empowering Future Generations via the free Pacesetter Early Learning Centre
GOAL 4: QUALITY EDUCATION
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
The SDGs Goal 4 aims to ensure inclusive and equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. This goal supports the reduction of disparities and inequities in education, both in terms of access and quality. It recognizes the need to provide quality education for all and, most especially, vulnerable populations, including poor children, children living in rural areas, persons with disabilities, Indigenous people, and refugee children.
This goal is critically important because of its transformative effects on the other SDGs. Sustainable development hinges on every child receiving a quality education. When children are offered the tools to develop to their full potential, they become productive adults ready to give back to their communities and break the cycle of poverty. Education enables upward socioeconomic mobility.
In a heartwarming celebration, the Pacesetter Early Learning Centre, a pioneering Tuition-free preschool initiative, marked its first graduation ceremony and Cultural Day on 8 August 2024.
This milestone is a testament to the Wife of the Governor of Oyo State, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs. Tamunominini Olufunke Makinde’s affinity for providing quality education, as expectedly shared with her husband, the Executive Governor of Oyo State; His Excellency Gov ‘Seyi Makinde, her visionary leadership, motherly care and tactical engineering approach, for founding such an iconic early life basic education center to provide quality education to children in underserved communities.
Located within the bustling Bola Ige International Market, the center offers a unique Montessori learning experience, free of charge, to children aged 0–5. This strategic location enables market women to access top-tier daycare and preschool facilities for their children, promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities.
Conceptualized in 2019 and launched during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Pacesetter Early Learning Centre has been made possible through the generous support of donors and partners, including LEDCO, FIDC, Oyo-ILE, Senator Rasheed Ladoja GRA, Engr Lere Adigun GRA, Yekinni Adeojo GRA, CEO Allianz WA; Mr Adeyinka Owodunni, Alhaji Femi Omotayo, Otunba Abdulrahman Odunowo and Ms Morolake Aramide.
As the first set of pupils graduates, the center’s impact is already being felt, empowering children from humble backgrounds to aspire for a better life. Her Excellency, Chief Mrs. Makinde, expressed her gratitude to the donors, staff, parents, and pupils, acknowledging the collective effort to make this initiative successful.
After singing, dancing and presenting a gift to Mrs Makinde, the ecstatic parents showered encomiums, expressing their immense gratitude to the Oyo State first lady, they prayed that “May Her Excellency continue to increase by leaps and bounds, and may God continue to prosper her family in every area”…amen.
With plans to expand to other major markets, the Pacesetter Early Learning Centre is poised to revolutionize early childhood education in Oyo State, providing a beacon of hope for a brighter future.