By Oyeniyi Esan
In the bid to contribute to the educational sector, not fewer than 2,000 textbooks were donated to the Ekiti State government by the Pentagon Movement Group (PMG) as measures to redefine the narrative of education in Africa under the banner of “Giveback Group”.
Ekiti state coordinator of Pentagon Movement Group, Ilesanmi Ade-Ademola, disclosed this on Thursday while donating textbooks to the state commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Olabimpe Aderiye.
Ilesanmi said PMG, as an organization, aims to use education as a powerful tool for socio-political, economic and cultural changes in our society to encourage the participation of the youths in governance.
According to him, “Education is the light that can penetrate the impenetrable darkness of hunger and poverty of any kind in our society because statistics revealed that there are 14 million out-of-school kids in the country while seventy per cent of them are from the North. This poses a threat to the national security of the country.
“The high number is worrisome and we cannot ignore the government in tackling problems related to the educational sector because in the 21st century we cannot afford to ignore that the government needs help. We are on a movement that will take time for realisation.
“We are changing the narratives of education in Africa because we value the importance of education sector in the development of any country across the globe and it is tool ignite the consciousness of the African youth toward self, communal and national realisation.
He also noted that “We aim to establish a formidable political grass-root base in Ekiti State politics centred on the future generation leaders of the state through education.
“It is a time to advocate and promote democratic values and human rights, and for the participation of youths in achieving them, to support and broaden youth participation in politics and educate Youths about Democratic Principles and Practices.”