society
Education Without Borders: How Johannesburg’s Inner-City “Back to School” Giveaway Is Redefining Grassroots Leadership
Education Without Borders: How Johannesburg’s Inner-City “Back to School” Giveaway Is Redefining Grassroots Leadership.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
“A Four-Year Tradition of Service, Inclusion and Pan-African Solidarity in Yeoville, Berea and Hillbrow.”
In many parts of the world, the beginning of a new school year is marked by excitement, fresh notebooks, new uniforms and renewed hope. In Johannesburg’s inner-city communities of Yeoville, Berea, Hillbrow and their surrounding areas, however, the same period often exposes a harsh reality: poverty, unemployment and migration-related vulnerability frequently stand between children and access to basic education tools. It is against this backdrop that the annual “Back to School” Giveaway, initiated by Hon. Ekos Akpokabayen, has once again returned, this time stronger, broader and more impactful than ever.
Now in its fourth consecutive year, the initiative has grown from a modest act of charity into a respected community institution. Its purpose remains clear and consistent: to ease the financial burden on struggling families and ensure that children, regardless of nationality or background, begin the academic year with dignity, confidence and the essential materials required for learning. In communities where daily survival competes with long-term planning, this intervention is not symbolic, it is practical, timely and transformative.
Education as a Social Equaliser. Globally, education is widely recognised as the most powerful equaliser in society. UNESCO and other international bodies consistently affirm that access to basic education materials (books, writing tools and uniforms) has a direct impact on school attendance, learner confidence and academic performance. For low-income households, the inability to afford these basic items often leads to delayed enrolment, absenteeism or dropout, particularly in urban informal settings where living costs are high and social safety nets are weak.
Johannesburg’s inner city is home to one of the most diverse migrant populations on the African continent. Families from across Southern, Central and East Africa live side by side, drawn by economic opportunity but often trapped in cycles of precarious work and inadequate housing. Children growing up in these environments face layered disadvantages: economic hardship, social exclusion and, in some cases, xenophobia. The “Back to School” Giveaway directly confronts these challenges by focusing on the child first, before nationality, language or legal status.
As renowned Brazilian educator Paulo Freire argued, “Education does not change the world. Education changes people, and people change the world.” By equipping children with the tools to learn, the initiative invests not only in individual futures but in the long-term stability and cohesion of the community itself.
Leadership Rooted in Consistency. What distinguishes this program is not only its intent but its consistency. Many community interventions flare briefly and disappear. Four consecutive years of uninterrupted delivery, however, signal discipline, planning and genuine commitment. Hon. Ekos Akpokabayen’s sustained leadership reflects a deeper understanding of servic and one that views development not as a one-off event, but as a continuous process.
This year’s edition was further strengthened by the presence of Hon. Angel Monalisa, Hon. George O. Sylvester and Hon. Otono Osiaima, whose participation underscored a shared belief in collective responsibility. Their involvement sent a powerful message: meaningful leadership is collaborative, visible and accountable at the grassroots.
Political theorist Hannah Arendt once noted that “Power corresponds to the human ability not just to act, but to act in concert.” The unified front presented by the organisers reinforces the idea that sustainable community impact is achieved when leaders work together rather than in isolation.
A Truly Pan-African Initiative. One of the most compelling aspects of the 2026 “Back to School” Giveaway is its pan-African character. Beneficiaries were not limited to Nigerians, despite the organisers’ Nigerian heritage. Children from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique and other African countries all benefited equally.
In a global climate where migration is often politicised and African migrants are frequently portrayed as burdens rather than contributors, this initiative offers a powerful counter-narrative. It affirms a simple but radical truth: children should never be punished for borders they did not draw.
Ghanaian scholar Kwame Nkrumah famously declared, “We face neither East nor West; we face forward.” The spirit of this program reflects that philosophy, embracing a future-oriented African solidarity grounded in shared humanity rather than fragmented identities.
The Inner City as a Site of Possibility. Yeoville, Berea and Hillbrow are often discussed in the media through the lenses of crime, decay and urban neglect. While these challenges are real, they do not tell the whole story. These neighbourhoods are also spaces of resilience, cultural exchange and informal economies that sustain thousands of families.
By situating the “Back to School” Giveaway within these communities, the organisers implicitly challenge narratives of hopelessness. They recognise that development does not always begin in boardrooms or government offices and it often starts on the streets, in churches, community halls and open spaces where trust already exists.
Development economist Amartya Sen has long argued that poverty should be understood not merely as low income, but as a deprivation of capabilities. Education, in this sense, is not charity; it is capability expansion. Providing school supplies may appear modest, but its ripple effects (improved attendance, enhanced self-esteem and parental relief) are profound.
Beyond Charity: A Model of Social Responsibility. Over four years, the “Back to School” initiative has evolved into more than a giveaway. It has become a symbol of inclusion, unity and social responsibility. It demonstrates that effective community intervention does not require excessive bureaucracy, but it does require empathy, planning and accountability.
Importantly, the program complements, rather than replaces, state responsibility. While governments have a duty to ensure access to education, civil society and community leaders play a crucial role in filling gaps and more especially in migrant-dense urban spaces where policy often lags behind reality.
As Kenyan scholar Ali Mazrui observed, “Africa’s problem is not that it is traditional, but that it has been denied the chance to modernise on its own terms.” Grassroots initiatives like this one represent Africans addressing African challenges with locally grounded solutions.
Final Take-Away: Education, Dignity and the Future We Share. The 2026 “Back to School” Giveaway stands as a compelling example of what principled, people-centred leadership looks like in practice. In an era marked by political noise and short-term gestures, this four-year tradition offers something rare: consistency with conscience.
By placing children at the centre, transcending nationality, and returning year after year to the same communities, Hon. Ekos Akpokabayen and his team remind us that the true measure of leadership lies not in titles, but in tangible impact. They demonstrate that education, compassion and hope are not finite resources; and that when shared, they multiply.
For Johannesburg’s inner city, this initiative is more than an annual event. It is a statement: that dignity matters, that every child deserves a fair start and that Africa’s future will be built not by exclusion, but by solidarity.
In a world increasingly defined by division, the lesson from Yeoville, Berea and Hillbrow is clear and universal: when we invest in children, across borders and backgrounds, we invest in a future that belongs to us all.
Armed Forces Day: Banwo Says Military Owes Nigeria an Apology for Political Interventions
As Nigeria marked Armed Forces Remembrance Day, public commentator and technology entrepreneur, Dr. Ope Banwo, has challenged the celebratory mood surrounding the military, insisting that the institution must confront its historical role in derailing the nation’s democratic and developmental trajectory.
In a strongly worded reflection, Banwo argued that while Nigerians are encouraged to honour the armed forces for their service, the country has failed to properly reckon with the long-term consequences of repeated military interventions in governance.
According to him, Nigeria’s relationship with the military has followed a damaging cycle: civilian governments falter, the military intervenes under the guise of national rescue, and the nation emerges weaker, more centralised, and more institutionally fragile than before.
Banwo acknowledged that Nigeria’s early civilian leaders contributed to political instability through flawed elections, ethnic rivalries, and political violence. However, he maintained that military coups did not correct these problems but compounded them.
He traced Nigeria’s democratic disruption to the first military takeover in 1966, noting that it opened the door to a succession of coups that normalised force as a political tool and eventually plunged the country into a devastating civil war.
“That moment was not just a political crisis; it was a permanent detour in Nigeria’s destiny,” Banwo stated, arguing that generations of Nigerians lost opportunities because power-hungry military rulers treated the nation as a possession rather than a republic.
He further contended that prolonged military rule entrenched excessive centralisation of power, weakened institutions, and created a governance culture that still haunts the country decades later.
Banwo described the military to civilian transition of 1979 as incomplete and unstable, likening it to transferring a fragile system to civilians without allowing democratic norms to mature. He criticised the subsequent 1983 coup, saying it reinforced the military’s impatience with accountability, debate, and the slow nature of democratic governance.
He also dismissed the recurring justifications used by military regimes to seize power, including promises to fight corruption, restore discipline, and sanitise governance.
“Instead of eliminating corruption, they refined it,” he said, adding that military rule produced a powerful class of politically connected elites who amassed wealth and influence while ordinary Nigerians struggled with poverty and insecurity.
According to Banwo, the military never fully exited politics but merely shifted its influence from the barracks into civilian life, allowing retired officers to continue shaping national affairs with an entrenched sense of superiority over constitutional authority.
He argued that in functioning democracies, the armed forces are firmly subordinate to elected civilian leadership, regardless of personal or institutional disagreements.
“In Nigeria, we too often treat the constitution as optional,” Banwo said, warning that this mindset fuels recurring nostalgia for authoritarian intervention.
Turning to present-day challenges, Banwo stressed that the military’s true responsibility lies in addressing Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, including terrorism, banditry, and mass killings, rather than engaging in political ambition or moral grandstanding.
“Democracy is untidy and frustrating,” he noted, “but it is not the military’s assignment to repair civilian politics.”
Banwo insisted that political reform must come through elections, civic engagement, legal processes, and public accountability, not through force.
He concluded by calling for a national acknowledgment of past mistakes, arguing that a sincere apology from the military would represent accountability rather than weakness.
Such an apology, he said, would recognise that repeated coups destabilised governance, militarised politics, and normalised the idea that constitutional order could be suspended at will.
Banwo also issued a warning against any renewed fantasies of military takeover, stressing that modern societies are built on civilian supremacy.
Is Genesis Global a prophet like Talish,
…Why he sees visions accurately?
~By Oluwaseun Fabiyi
With his accurate prophecies and visions, Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe Genesis remains an enigmatic figure, exposing satanic plans in the lives of individuals both within his congregation and beyond.
Genesis functions as a prophetic figure appointed by God to execute divine authority over principalities and powers, to heal and to liberate captives from evil manipulators, similar to Elijah and Elisha in the biblical scriptures. Numerous instances of spiritual attacks and afflictions were brought before Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe of Genesis Global, which were subsequently eradicated through the prophetic declaration of the Word of God with authority.
*Who exactly is Prophet Israel Genesis?*
Meet a young man of extraordinary ability, entrusted with a sacred mission from God. Filled with self-confidence, he is keenly aware of the divine anointing upon his life and has fully committed himself to serving his Creator, rendering earthly challenges inconsequential to his faith.
*What makes Genesis uniquely significant in God’s sight?*
Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe’s humility before God and humanity is exemplary, as evidenced by his respectful demeanor towards people of all ages, meriting him immense respect from near and far. No surprise that he hears directly from God whenever he delivers prophecy or gives directions to people; his prophecies are accurate to the extent that many people around him, both locally and internationally, refer to him as a remarkable seer and oracle of God.
*Does Genesis possess any extraordinary powers to cajole people?*
Notably, the secret to Prophet Genesis’s spiritual advancement, often misunderstood by many, lay in his rigorous commitment to fasting and prayer, a discipline that has sustained his spiritual development. A similar situation occurred in 2010 when Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe Genesis prophesied to a woman, predicting a pivotal event that would change her life in a few years. The prophet of God did not provide the woman with physical items like soap or perfume. Instead, he assessed her faith, to which she responded with a resounding ‘Yes Sir!’ He then directed her to buy a sachet of water, over which he prayed before asking her to drink, with the entire interaction taking place in the reception area of his office. The aftermath saw the woman sharing a multitude of testimonies that had a profound impact on the church.
*Does Prophet Genesis require payment for conducting spiritual assignments or providing prophecies?*
Never—I reiterate, never—does a man who organizes an open-air crusade without collecting offerings during multiple services at Genesis Global Church, only to end the service and request that attendees retain their offerings and tithes, suggest that he can be swayed by worldly interests.
*Has prophet Israel collected items that didn’t belong to him on prior occasions?*
The Genesis I am familiar with does not fit the mold of a typical man of God; I can confidently assert that he stands apart from such men of God. A young man who commenced his life and ministry with modest beginnings, he distinctly prioritizes spiritual pursuits over material wealth, steadfastly believing that his future is bright because of his focus on God. Interestingly, Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe Genesis continues to reside at Duro Ishola Street off Dalemo Alakuko, despite some of his contemporaries having relocated to upscale neighborhoods like Lekki, GRA, or Magodo. This choice is not due to an inability to afford the comfort of those areas, but rather a deliberate decision to hold onto his humble beginnings, believing that starting small would ultimately lead to greater opportunities.
Lastly, Prophet Genesis Global remains a significant asset and charitable figure for many generations. It is noteworthy that he is married to a woman of extraordinary quality, often considered one of the best on the planet.
Exercise discernment in recognizing the real Ogundipe in Genesis’ life from part 2.
Obasa Bolsters APC’s Membership E-Registration with Strategic Tech Support
In a decisive show of leadership and commitment to the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s ongoing membership e-registration exercise, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudasiru Obasa has donated eighty (80) 5G-enabled tablets and forty (40) LaserJet printers to aid the registration process across the state.
The items were presented earlier today, Tuesday, January 20, on the Speaker’s behalf by Hon. Mufutau Egberongbe, a former member of the House of Representatives; Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi, a two-term state lawmaker and former secretary of the APC in Lagos; Hon. Johnson Babatunde, former executive chairman of Orile Agege Local Council Development Area; and Hon. Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun, Managing Director, Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY).
Additionally, Speaker Obasa also deployed eighty (80) well-trained personnel, comprising computer-savvy youths, to complement the existing party staff and ensure extensive coverage across all local government areas.
Speaker Obasa reckons that equipping the party with cutting-edge technology and skilled manpower will eliminate bottlenecks, enhance efficiency, and guarantee that every eligible member of the APC in Lagos State is captured. More importantly, the intervention, he says, will position the Lagos APC to achieve a comprehensive and transparent registration outcome.
Party stakeholders have lauded Speaker Obasa’s foresight and dedication, noting that his contributions reflect loyalty to the APC, proactive leadership that enhances political mobilization with technology, and a broader vision of youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and grassroots political participation.
“Speaker Obasa’s strategic tech support underscores his reputation as a leader who prioritises innovation, inclusivity, and the growth of the party at the grassroots level,” said Hon. Babatunde.
The membership e-registration exercise, scheduled to conclude by the end of January, is expected to significantly expand the APC’s database and strengthen its organisational capacity ahead of future political engagements.
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