The Executive Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Lagos State, Nigeria, Hon. Wasiu Ayodeji Adeshina, has revealed that his administration will continue to prioritize the development of educational standard and expressed his willingness to join forces with all stakeholders towards implementing more developmental projects from his administration, especially in the areas of education and health for the economic growth and progress of Ikorodu Local Government.
Adeshina made this revelation at the official commissioning of a block of five (5) classrooms on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at Salvation Army Primary School, Ikorodu. The new blocks of classrooms was commissioned by His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom.
Speaking on the construction of the blocks of classrooms of the new structure, which was demolished when the construction of the new building was about to start and have now been fully reconstructed by the Council Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Wasiu Ayodeji Adeshina.
The council chairman explained that the construction project was carried out within four months, which was made possible because of his administration’s interest in the development of Ikorodu as a whole. Hon Adeshina assured residents of his administration’s readiness to ensure that all children are well-equipped with knowledge and skills for development at a tender age.
“The blocks of classrooms commissioned today is another great testimony to our well-known tradition of long-lasting legacy projects and a realization of this administration’s resolve to put education back at the center stage of our development”, Hon. Adeshina said.
“The importance and impact of these new blocks of classrooms cannot be overemphasized, as it will enable the students to acquire more knowledge and teachers to improve the level of education”, he affirmed.
“Children are the future of tomorrow, and investing in their education is an investment in the future. Hence, we see education as the most powerful weapon we can bequeath to the younger ones to be able to change the world.
“The power of education extends beyond the development of skills needed for economic success. It is an instrument that helps contribute to nation-building and economic development”, the Council Chairman said.
“In order to ensure continuous efficient and effective mandate delivery, there are several other projects in the pipeline like the complete renovation of Agura PHC”, he said.
“About a year ago, we were all gathered here for the groundbreaking of these classrooms. We thank God that this project has been completed successfully without any form of hindrance. We are impressed by the job well done by the construction company, LABKEM Construction. LABKEM Construction is a digital construction company whose service is highly commendable looking at the style of construction that he built at Salvation Army Primary School.
“Education is the bedrock upon which any society rests, and in line with this, this administration has created additional ten (10) adult education centers within Ikorodu Local Government for our adults who cannot read or write. This will help them in no small way to gain the ability to read and write and even sign their name”, the council boss said.
While stating that his administration had supported the educational sector at the grassroot level with the provision of new desks and chairs to some public primary schools in Ikorodu, building of toilet units for the same Salvation Army Primary School, the reconstruction of the collapsed fence, yearly disbursement of GCE forms, bursary allowance to Ikorodu indigenes students, donation of notebooks to primary school pupils in Ikorodu, and distribution of school bags to both primary school pupils and secondary school students.
The Council Chairman pledged to employ a night security guard for the school to ensure that the school is in safe hands and also made it known that the newly commissioned building has been handed over to the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for proper maintenance of the structure.
While adding that efforts are ongoing towards constructing a new ICT Centre at the open space in Ita-Elewa, Ikorodu, erecting the collapse fence at Jammahitu Primary School, Ikorodu, and equipping the science centre with computers at Olubi Primary School, Ikorodu, among others.
The Ayangburen of Ikorodu, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr) Kabir Adewale Shotobi, commended the council boss and other stakeholders for their efforts in developing education in Ikorodu Kingdom.
“The likes of Dr. Sholebo in the oversea and other stakeholders in the community, I want to thank all of them for this kind gesture and remembering our children in order to let them know that education is very important, and it is the key which is also in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State”, the monarch said.
“I want everyone to assist the government in building more classrooms for pupils in the public primary and secondary school levels respectively across Ikorodu Kingdom”.
The Chairman of SUBEB, Dr. Akeem Shittu, represented by the Permanent Board Member, Dr. (Otunba) Saheed Oladapo Ibikunle, first appreciated the effort of Chief Asipa Kaoli Olusanya for the renovation of some classrooms in celebration of his 70th birthday anniversary. He went on to explain the advantages of the construction project to the society.
“The additional classroom that we are having today is for our pupils to study, and if we don’t have all this building in place, we are going to have as many out of-school children in the society. The chairman has made education one of his priorities, and you will agree that the socioeconomic development of any community lied so much on education.
“Education of today is changing, and we welcome as many as possible stakeholders to please come in and also assist because one of our needs is in the field of human capital development, which is education that will assist us a lot. Three (3) key things that were emergent in the field of education as far as basic education is concerned include enrollment or access to education in a bid to reduce the number of out-of-school children, quality education which involves providing necessary accommodation for the pupils, and equity for all the children”.
Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Lagos State University, Otunba (Sir) David Sumoni KJW, said Hon Adeshina has demonstrated a good model for bringing all the alumni students together and for being a proud product of the school. He therefore implores the pupils to concentrate more on their academic studies by working hard and pray while they are still at the elementary stage of their studies.
In his words, “When the Chairman told me last week that he would be commissioning this project, I was skeptical in the first place, but I chose to create time and prioritize this programme. Salvation Army Primary School, Ikorodu has been instrumental in whatever we can claim to have become in life because they planted the seed several years ago”.
“Everything that we were taught back then at Salvation Army Primary School is what remains in our minds to this day. What Hon Adeshina is telling us is that all of us have to pay back to the society that has molded us to become what we have become”, the Pro-Chancellor said.
“Several years ago, I was also in this kind of situation as a pupil of this school between 1962 – 1967 and I thank God Almighty for His infinite mercy and grace upon all of us. We will get the needs of the school in a bid to pay back the school”, he assured.
In an interview with the Head Teacher of Salvation Army Primary School, Ikorodu, Mrs. Mehmud Temilade Ramota, she appreciated the kind gesture of the Executive Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government. She charged the old students and other stakeholders to continue to support the school by assisting in providing things that the school needed.
“It is a memorable occasion. I felt great and happy about what is going on here today because when I came to this school in February 2020, I raised my eyes to Almighty God, and I can say that my dreams are already coming true for seeing another new building in this environment. I give glory to Almighty God and special thanks to our local government chairman for coming to the aid of the school with this project”.
“Unlike before, hoodlums do invade the school premises, but now the school is secure and conducive to learning for the pupils”, she concluded.
Also speaking, the Education Secretary, Ikorodu Local Government, Alhaji Afolabi Amusa and HOD Education and Library Services, Ikorodu Local Government, Mr. Deji Owolabi, commended the Council Chairman for the project.
The leadership of the Kokoro Abu Base presented free notebooks to the management staff of the school, and an award of excellence was also presented to the Chairman in recognition of his contributions towards educational development in Ikorodu, Lagos.
At the commissioning ceremony were HRM, Oba Moruf Ahmed Ogunaike, the Alagura of Agura Town; Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye; APC State Party Secretary, Hon Jokomba; Hon Babajimi Benson, represented by Hon Alejo Musibau; Chief Asipa Kaoli Olusanya; Bashorun Babatunde Rotinwa; APC Party Chairman, Alhaji Waheed Animashaun Sotonwa; APC Ikorodu Woman Leader, Alhaja Bello Rashidat; former APC Party Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Alhaji Longe Taiwo Shamsideen; Chief Imam of Ikorodu Central Mosque, Fadeelah Sheikh Seifudeen Ayinla Olowooribi; and Alhaji Jinadu Owo-Ikorodu.
Other notable personalities in attendance were Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Aarebirin (Princess) Folashade Olabanji-Oba; Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Afini Abdulateef; Chief of Staff, Hon Mabunmi Tosin; Council Engineer, Engr. Martins Odupitan; Marriage Registrar, Ikorodu Local Government, Alhaja Kehinde Akintoye; CDC Chairman, Mr. Ogunjimi; Alhaji Lookman Shonibare; Alhaji Lamidi Folorunsho; as well as Councilors, Supervisory Councilors, Special Advisers, League of Baales, Iyaloja of Sabo Market, Wadesh Babes, Arewa Group, Teachers, and pupils of Salvation Army Primary School, Ikorodu.
