Kunle Adelabu
-State officials commend IKIDASS for investing in education
The Ibeshe community, under the aegis of Ibeshe Kingdom Development Association (IKIDASS) and in conjunction with the Lagos State Government, has commissioned the Owode – Ibelefun Junior School, Owode – Ibeshe in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), as part of the initiatives to invest in the young ones by giving them good and quality education.
The new school has a block of six -classrooms and 10 toilets constructed with the sum of N125million.
The new school was handed over to the Lagos State Government on Wednesday.
During the event, the representative of Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA), donated 204 school bags and 1000 pieces of 60 – leaves exercise books to the students.
Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya, former Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State and the Asiwaju of Ibeshe Kingdom, explained that the community leaders were moved by the inadequate space in the only building housing the JSS one students who are moving to JSS two and will soon be moving into JSS 3, hence, the need to build a new building which led to the construction of the new classrooms.
“I invited leaders in this community and we moved around to see what we can add to the development of the community. When we got here, we saw that the only building housing JSS I students was already congested and they were to move to JSS 2, and there was nowhere to move them to. As small as it is, it accommodates 200 students. They are now in JSS 2 and by September, they will be going to JSS 3 and there is no place to accommodate them.
“So, we were moved and we decided to start a project. Once you have a clear plan, resource will flow towards such. We approached people and they responded because we have good plan and we are transparent. I reached out to a container terminal and they gave us a trailer load of 600 bags of cement. From start to finish of this project, we did not buy any cement”.
He also listed other donors that donated sand, blocks and funding, as well as Senator Tokunbo Abiru who, according to him, donated fund and furniture for the classes, and Rep. Babajimi Benson who also gave them fund.
Asiwaju Kaoli, who is equally an educationist, explained that the initiative by the community is aimed at investing in the children and future of the community.
“What we have prepared for you and why are we doing all these, is because if you have good education; quality education, and you take the opportunity to learn, and try to be the best in what you do, you will do right in your education.
“It does not matter where you are coming from; it does not matter whether your mother is poor or father is poor. It doesn’t matter at all, what is needed is your brain, ability, skills, what you can do and with that, you can get to any level. You can be anywhere; you can be from Ibeshe, and school in Ibeshe and still be the best in the world. You just have to take your education serious.
“What we are doing now is investing in your tomorrow today; making investment in your tomorrow today and trying to provide the facility that is available in good schools around Lagos. Ibeshe should not be left behind, while Lagos State is moving into a smart city. So, to avoid that, we are providing education for our children, because with good education, you can turn the fortune of your family around and you can make very good contributions to the society,” he said.
He said that education is also a way of reducing crime and care for the younger generation, while calling for further development of the school.
“With good education, there will be less crime. Sometimes in Ibeshe in broad daylight, you will see young boys that are cultists running after one another with guns and shooting at one another on the road. One of the root causes is ignorance caused by lack of education. There was no care; nobody is mentoring them and nobody is looking after them. At the moment, we are taking it as our responsibility as adults, to cater, care for these young ones, and mentor them.
“We have decided to provide them with what they need, which is good education. Let us support them and of course, as major stakeholders and as a community, we are doing our own.
“This building consists of six classrooms and 10 toilets, but we want a prototype building. We need something as good as the King’s College in Lagos. We want anything as good as the best school in Lagos, to be here in Ibeshe.
“We need a good public school, because we have to treat the children equally. If we do that, it will create an environment that will be calm, and where crime will be reduced, because the people we know are cared for”, the community leader said.
The Asiwaju of Ibeshe also charged parents and teachers to join the community in playing their own roles in caring for the students and mentoring them.
Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA), the representative of Ikorodu Constituency II, commended the community for the laudable initiative, while also emphasizing the importance of education.
“Today is a bright day, a remarkable day, a day that proves again that when a community comes together with visions, unity, and commitment, greatness is assured.
“Let me appreciate the Ibeshe Kingdom Development Association (IKIDASS) for this exceptional initiative. Building a school is not just about bricks and metal, it is about building future, shaping destiny, and investing in generation yet unborn.
“What IKIDASS has done is more than generous, it is visionary, selfless, and building development and on behalf of all lovers of progress, I say I big a thank you to you all”, he said.
The lawmaker charged the students to take advantage of the opportunity that the society is giving them to build themselves and also urged parents and teachers to play their parts in the development of the young ones.
“To the students, this school stands here as a symbol of what your future can become; bright, solid, and full of opportunities. Let this building be more than a structure, let it be a place of excellence where you study to be the best. Honor this legacy with your diligence, discipline, and dreams.
“To the parents, I urge you to partner with the school to support your children, not just by sending them to school, but by guiding them with love, monitoring their growth, and instill in them the values of Integrity, respect, and hard work. Let us raise a generation that will make Ibeshe kingdom proud, Lagos State proud and Nigeria proud.
“To the teachers, you have been entrusted with the future. Beyond the curriculum, you are a mentor, builders, and moral guidance, teach with passion, lead with patience, and build with vision. These children are seeds, nurture them with wisdom and care, and watch them grow into greatness.
“This is what community development should look like with people giving back, not for profit but for progress”, Hon. Aro said.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Bisola Olusanya, also lauded the Ibeshe Kingdom for supporting the government in providing good education and developing the society.
“Community coming together for the progress of the people is what the Ibeshe Kingdom has exemplified, and we pray and hope for more communities to come together for the benefit of the people, community and particularly the children.
“Education is key, and I am very happy that the Asiwaju of Ibeshe land has actually mentioned the reason why education should be pursued at all cost”, she said.
While commending the donors, Ms. Olusanya also thanked the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, for his government’s contributions to the development of education in the state. She also thanked the School Rehabilitation Committee and the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, and urged them to give the school a befitting building.
Dr. Nuruden Agbaje, Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Developments, also commended Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya and the entire Ibeshe Kingdom for the laudable initiative and development of their community.
The Chairman, Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS) , Mr Akeem Smith, described the community initiative as a good intention.
While urging students and staff to take good care of the building, Mr Smith also assured that his committee would ensure that the building is maintained.
Four notable individuals and companies, including Barr. Ade Ayeni, Secretary to Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, SS Zebar and others were honoured with awards for their contributions to the development of the school.
Other guests at the commissioning event were Builder Olusesan Daini, Executive Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Comr. Olalekan Biliamin Oba, Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Lagos State on Social Development, Hon. Gbenga Basanya, former Chairman, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun, APC Chairmanship Candidate, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA and Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education among others.
