By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Lade District Development Association (LADDA) in Patigi local government area of Kwara state has begun processes for the payment of NECO examination fees for senior secondary school students in the local government.

The association, which is carrying out the gesture alongside some other self-help projects for the area, has flagged off registration and screening of students for the philanthropic programme.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the President of the LADDA, Deacon Moses Dele Ake, noted that education remains the bedrock of social, political and economic development of any society.

Ake, who was represented by the Chairman of the Education Committee of the Association, Hon. Peter Tsado Ekati, said one of the cardinal objectives of the association is to ensure that the indigenes of the area have access to qualitative education which is the best legacy one can hand over to the future generations.

He said the association embarked upon the programme in addition with the procurement of the solar street lights distributed recently to the communities in the area from the dues received from Lithium dealers in the district.

Ake also disclosed that plans are under way to procure computers for the schools in the area, as well as dig boreholes in some villages in the district.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiary public and private schools in the area, the Principal of Lade community secondary school, Mallam Mohammed Shaaba and the Principal of Zamad secondary school, Mallam Mohammed Abubakar, described the gesture of the association as timely and laudable, assuring that the opportunity would be utilised to ensure that the students perform well in their examinations.

Also contributing, Mallam Mustapha Abdulkadir Lima of senior secondary school Rifun and Jibril Abubakar Nman of Community secondary school Tankpafu in kpada district in Patigi local government area, said the support by LADDA is a good step in a right direction, which effect, they said, would last long.

Parents of the students who spoke on the occasion appreciated LADDA for the gesture, saying it would save them the burden of sourcing for the NECO examination fee of their children and prayed God to strengthen the association and move the entire Patigi Local government forward.

Also speaking, some of the students acknowledged the support of the association for taking the bull by the horn in assisting them towards shaping their future.

Ends.