The wife of the Olu of Warri, Olori Atuwatse III has donated Love Garden and Playground facilities to Ikengbuwa Primary School in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The projects were inaugurated on Tuesday as part of the activities lined up to mark the birthday anniversary of the Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom.
Addressing teachers and pupils of the primary school, Olori said that her desire was to ensure that children were encouraged to come to school and learn.
She noted that education is the foundation to the growth and development of any society.
Olori added that the project would not only afford the children the opportunity to learn but to plant and harvest crops.
She said that the project would also expose the pupils to other entrepreneurial skills to help prepare them for future challenges.
“Education is very dear to my heart. It is the foundation to the growth of any society. Our dream is that giving you this love garden, children are not only learning how to plant and harvest crops, they are also also learning entrepreneurial skills.
“Our teachers should teach the pupils the importance of business at this very young age. They should learn commerce, agriculture and social skills which are important for growth and development,” she said.
Olori expressed hope that the playground would motivate children to come to school and urged the teachers to encourage the children to use the facilities as much as possible.
Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of her recent visit to Finland, Olori said that they learnt about the Finish educational system.
“We understand that they integrate play and practicality in their education. There is a lot of practical learnings that goes in their educational system, in and outside the classroom.
“We are in a good position to use the influence of the palace to support the government. We are trying to make education accessible to all and that is what we are doing in the palace.
“To see how to possibly partner the government on how to provide quality education to our children across board, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in Warri South, Warri North and Warri South-West Local Government Areas,” she said.
Olori assured that the projects would be replicated in the three local government areas that made up the Warri Federal Constituency.
Earlier, in her address of welcome, Mrs Mene Patience, the Head Teacher of Ikengbuwa Primary School, thanked the Olori for the initiative.
“We are honoured to be your partner in this noble project.
“No doubt that this project will raise the awareness of the learners and by extension teachers and parents on the importance of production and consumption of vegetables.
“Therefore, there is learning opportunity for everyone in this project,” she said.
Mrs Patience, however, assured that the facilities would be judiciously used and maintained.
Also, Mrs Omamuyi Omatseye, the Supervisor of the Love Garden and Playground said that the initiative would afford the pupils a sense of belonging.
“It will help the children to learn how to plant and nurtured and by implication help their minds to relax. They can plant, grow their seeds and go home with it, so, it will give them a sense of belonging,”‘Omatseye said.
One of the pupils, Roseline Sunday, thanked the Olori for providing the school with the facilities and prayed God to continue to replenish her.
