Kunle Adelabu
It was commendation galore from eminent personalities, school managers and pupils as Ikorodu -Oga Development Association (IKODASS) commissioned water projects in three primary schools in Ikorodu Constituency I.
The laudable project was solely financed by IKODASS in commemoration of this year’s Ikorodu-Oga Day celebration.
The three water projects were constructed in Local Government Primary School, Majidun in Ikorodu West Local Council Area, Holy Trinity/Anglican Primary School in Ikorodu Local Government and St. Saviour Primary School, Gbaga in Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area.
The commissioning was held between Wednesday, November 18 and Thursday, November 19, 2020.
While the Asiwaju of Ikorodu and former President, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA(, Sir (Chief) Babatunde Olusola Benson, KJW, SAN, commissioned the water project at the Holy Trinity Primary School, a business mogul, philanthropist and business mogul, Dr Steve Anifowoshe, commissioned the one at the LG Primary School, Majidun, and Alhaja (Chief) Taofeejat Abiodun Allinson, the Iya – Oloja General of Ikorodu Division, commissioned the third one located at the St. Saviour Primary School.
Chief Benson, speaking at the commissioning of borehole water project, commended IKODASS which he described as his baby.
He charged Ikorodu young men in places of authority to always work for Ikorodu and contribute towards its development.
“If we didn’t come back home to work, where will you all be today? Particularly, I am talking to Ikorodu young men. You must come home to help”, Chief Benson charged them.
“Most of us that have the opportunity of travelling out to acquire education must come back home to development our town.
“Whatever help that I can give, I will be prepared to offer”, Chief Benson said.
While commending IKODASS for its educational support, Chief Benson also charged Ikorodu indigenes to support the development of education within the Division.
At the LG Primary School where Dr Anifowoshe performed the commissioning on behalf of IKODASS, he commended the cultural group for funding water projects in schools across Ikorodu .
He stated that the water facilities will not only serve the schools but also their host communities.
Otunba Abiru, Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS) , who stated that he was happy to have led the team that initiated and executed the projects, charged the schools to take ownership of the water projects.
He commended school managers and teachers for the good care and positive impacts on their pupils.
“We are here today to commission the borehole sponsored by the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association established 29 years to accelerate development of Ikorodu in all ramifications – social, economic and political”, Otunba Abiru said.
“We believe that one of the things that can accelerate developments in Ikorodu is education which is the fulcrum of all other things.
“The best way to do this is to provide facilities and make the environment conducive for learning and that is why the executive council of IKODASS decided to construct three boreholes in three primary schools and three local government and LCDAs within the Ikorodu community.
“I want to assure you that we will continue to do this kind of altruistic community services and we believe that with your encouragement, IKODASS will continue to leap forward”, IKODASS Chairman assured.
“I want to appeal to the head teachers, teachers and pupils that they should take ownership of the boreholes. They belong to you and you must ensure that they are not damaged nor destroyed”, he charged them.
“We will try as much as possible to come here on regular basis to see the condition of the borehole. We have provided generators to power them and by the grace of God, we will continue to do what is best for humanity” .
He stated that all the water projects would be commissioned by important personalities who have been contributing to the development of Ikorodu and that the gesture was a mark of honour and in recongnition of their contributions to the development of lkorodu.
Education Secretary, Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Alhaji Afolabi Amusa who attended the three commissioning, commended IKODASS for sponsoring the water projects.
He revealed that one of the beneficiary schools’ head teachers had made the request for water facility within the school when he visited the school earlier in the year.
“The following week that the head teacher of the school (LG Primary School, Majidun) told me that they have been having water challenges, I told them that God will provide a sponsor. However, Mr Salami (lKODASS Treasurer) and his colleagues visited me to tell me that IKODASS would be providing three borehole water facilities for three schools in Ikorodu ConstItuency I.
“I wasted no time in nominating Majidun as number one school that must benefit from the project”.
Mrs Comfort Olusola Durotinu, the Head teacher of LG Primary School, Majidun, in her remarks during the commissioning, thanked IKOADSS for the gesture and its developmental efforts.
She assured the cultural group that the school management will take proper care of the water facility.
The school manager also seized opportunity to list other challenges facing the school and requiring urgent attentions among which are grass cutting machine for the open field within the school which she said is costing the school so much money every month to maintain; reconstruction of the school collapsing fence and furniture for the pupils.
The Chairman, Parents’ Forum, LG Primary School, Majidun, Mr Doyin Jolomi, on behalf of the parents and staff, also commended IKOADSS for the gesture.
