By Abimbola Joseph
CITIZENS COMPASS —The Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Wasiu Ayodeji Adesina, has inaugurated five blocks of classrooms at Salvation Army primary school, Kokoro Abu area, Ikorodu, Lagos.
The inauguration took place on Wednesday, October 11, 2023.
The Chairman reiterated his commitment that children be well equipped with knowledge and skills for development at a tender age.
“The blocks of classrooms are another great testimony of our well-known tradition of long-lasting legacy projects.
“A realisation of this administration’s resolve to put education at the center stage of our development.
“My administration is ready to ensure that our children are well equipped with knowledge and skills for development at a tender age.
“These new blocks of classrooms will enable the students to acquire more knowledge and teachers to improve the level of education,” he said.
According to him, education is seen as the most powerful weapon that can be given to younger ones to change the world and also as a bedrock of any society.
He said in his quest to support education at the grassroots, his administration has also created additional ten Adult Education Centre within the local government for adults to gain ability to read and write. Adesina urged stakeholders to take possession of the project and make judicious use of it adding that a security guard would be employed immediately for the safety of the school as requested by the management.
“My administration has supported the education sector at the grassroots level in many areas among which are provisions of desk and benches to primary schools in Ikorodu.
“Construction of perimeter fencing of the Salvation army and Jamaitul Islamiya pry schools, yearly disbursement of free GCE and Jamb forms, regular bursary award to deserving students in tertiary institutions.
“Training of 100 students on digital skills, building of cubic toilets in schools, facilitating reconstruction of Aga primary school by Sen. Tokunbo Abiru among others,” he said
Also speaking, Sir David Sunmoni, Pro- Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), applauded the chairman’s effort towards developing the education sector in the community and advised stakeholders on continuous maintenance of the edifice.
Sunmoni, chairman Governing Council LASU, who is also an old pupil of the primary school advised the pupils to work hard with prayers towards achieving their goals.
“I feel elated, the chairman has done well, it’s like paying to the society that has impacted so much into our lives.
“Enabling us to reach the pinnacle that some of us have reached, is like giving praises to God and giving back to the society.
“This is the foundation stage and once the foundation is good then they can develop in the process.
“My foundation has helped me a lot to withstand all the institutions of life, so I advise the students to work hard and pray because prayers must be built on something, ” he said.
Earlier, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, commended the council boss and called on philanthropists who are indigenes of Ikorodu to emulate the kind gesture to support the government and give back to theit society.
Shotobi, commended indigenes who had done wonderfully well in supporting and bringing back to the society that impacted them and appreciate Lagos State government for building more schools and providing employment to teachers.
Also Speaking, Dr Babatunde Shittu, Executive Secretary, Lagos State universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB) represented by Dr Saheed Ibikunle, said Lagos State Government is committed to ensuring every child has access to education.
Shittu said that the government also provided materials like school bags, Sandals, writing materials and provided one meal to support parents who are financially incapacitated to reduce out of school children in the state.
Also, Mrs Memud Temilade, Headmistress, Salvation Army primary school, thanked the chairman for hid kind gesture and providing a conducive environment for learning for the pupils and promised to use it judiciously.
The Citizens Compass reports that the school was established in1948 and one of the old classroom block was renovated by Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, an old student in commemoration of his 70th birthday.
Dignitaries present at the event include; Prince Abiodun Oguleye, former Deputy Gov. of Lagos State, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, former Comm. for Agric, old student of the school, traditional leaders, party chieftain among others.
