From Oke-Fóko to the World: Dr. Nureni Adeniran Inspires Pupils at Alma Mater

From Oke-Fóko to the World: Dr. Nureni Adeniran Inspires Pupils at Alma Mater

By Olamide Adeniji

The visit of Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran to Ansar-ud-deen Primary School, Oke-Fóko, Ibadan, was more than a routine official engagement. It was a homecoming that carried a powerful message of hope, resilience and limitless possibility for a new generation of pupils.

Dr. Adeniran, the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYO-SUBEB), and a former Local Government Chairman and Commissioner for Education in Oyo State, returned to the very school where his educational journey began as part of the Catch Them Young programme designed to inspire pupils in public primary schools.

For the OYO-SUBEB Chairman, the moment was deeply personal. Standing before pupils in a community often dismissed due to its socio-economic challenges, Dr. Adeniran used his own life story to counter the narrative that a child’s future is defined by their environment.

Oke-Fóko, located in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, is widely regarded as one of the underprivileged communities in the city. Children from such areas are frequently underestimated. Dr. Adeniran’s presence, however, served as a living testament that greatness can emerge from anywhere.

“If some of us passed through this same school and were able to navigate life to where we are today, then these children can become even greater than we are,” he told the pupils.

He emphasised that attending a public primary school or growing up in a low-income community should never be seen as a limitation, noting that future lawyers, doctors, engineers, governors, senators and even presidents can emerge from schools like Ansar-ud-deen.

The pupils listened attentively as Dr. Adeniran shared his journey, recalling his early struggles with science subjects despite his ambition to become a medical doctor. Encouraged by the belief that dedication and hard work could overcome challenges, he embraced discipline and focus, progressing from his first degree to a Master’s and eventually a PhD.

He also paid glowing tribute to his teachers, describing them as critical partners with parents in shaping a child’s future. Recalling how his Primary One teacher once wrote a letter to his father urging closer mentorship, Dr. Adeniran said that guidance played a major role in his success, adding that the joy of achievement is even greater knowing his father is alive to witness it.

Beyond inspiration, the visit highlighted Dr. Adeniran’s commitment to improving public education in Oyo State. He noted that when he assumed office, many public schools were in poor condition, lacking fences, adequate classrooms and basic facilities.

Today, the transformation at Ansar-ud-deen Primary School is evident, with renovated buildings, improved infrastructure and increased enrolment as more parents return their children to public schools due to better learning conditions and free education.

In a practical demonstration of support, the OYO-SUBEB Chairman and his management team distributed school sandals to selected pupils of the school, a gesture aimed at easing the burden on parents. Dr. Adeniran announced that the initiative would be extended to other basic schools across the state to ensure that no child is deprived of dignity or education due to financial constraints.

Addressing parents and guardians, he stressed that while government has provided free education, parental responsibility remains crucial. He urged parents to properly feed, clothe and guide their children, and to protect them from negative influences.

“This is their future,” he said. “When these children succeed tomorrow, the parents will sit back and be proud.”

As the visit came to an end, the pupils of Ansar-ud-deen Primary School were left with more than memories of a high-profile visit. They saw proof that dreams can rise from any community, including Oke-Fóko, and that greatness knows no boundaries.

Olamide Adeniji writes from Oke-Fóko, Ibadan.