Police and community help teenage photographer return to school
A 15-year-old boy, Ridwan Bolaji, who worked as a photographer at Olumo Rock, is set to resume his education after being out of school for over three years. The intervention was led by the Ogun State Police Command and the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), who rallied support for his return to the classroom. Ridwan Bolaji had left school due to financial difficulties but caught the attention of police officials during a community event. Multiple stakeholders have now contributed funds to support his schooling and give him a fresh start.
What we know
- Ridwan Bolaji completed his primary education in July 2023 but could not afford to continue to secondary school.
- He began learning barbering before switching to photography at Olumo Rock to support himself.
- The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, pledged to take personal responsibility for Ridwan's education after meeting him at the 2026 Annual Week of the PCRC in Ogun State, tagged “Olumo 2026.”
- Donations from the National Safe School Club Project, PCRC leaders, and other stakeholders amounted to N525,000, with additional individual contributions expected.
- The PCRC National Chairman, Alhaji Mogaji Olaniyan, pledged to personally pay Ridwan's school fees for his second term.
