Wale Jagun & Mariam Akinloye
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday, commissioned the renovated and upgraded Methodist Primary School, Ibeshe in Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest.
CGS Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, also assured that the interventions in the school are not going to be a one-off, by emphasising further support under the NCS’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and National Development Support Initiative.
At the school, two blocks of classroom, an administrative block and Nursery & Kindergarten Block were fully rehabilitated, while the school cafeteria, hall and refuse incinerator were constructed. 15 solar security lights were also installed and the school’s security house was renovated among other interventions undertaken by Lilypond Export Command, NCS.
School bags, exercise books and other learning materials were also provided by the NCS for the pupils.
Mr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller General of Customs, in his keynote address said the commissioning was in fulfilment of the NCS’s CSR.
He commended Comptroller A. Odusanya, former Area Controller, Lilypond Export Command, Comptroller S. Ariyibi, the Area Comptroller Export Command and their team for sourcing out the school for intervention.
“This is the kind of things we want to be doing. This is the kind of impact that we want to make through our CSR. I want to say you have chosen wisely, and this is very gratifying not just to the Comptroller General of Customs, but also to all members of the management and to the members of the community that we are serving. We are indeed very grateful for this gesture.”
The NCS boss furthered, “It is one thing to visualise a project, it is a completely different thing to actualise and finish it up, and this is where Comptroller Ariyibi came in. I remember that in the last few months when Comptroller Odusanya was to leave (service) and we were really very apprehensive because the intention was that we should do this while he is still in the office.
“To controller Ariyibi and members of your team, I want to say a very big thank you for your efforts to ensure that this project came to its logical conclusion.”
He also listed other projects that NCS is also involved in apart from education. He listed projects in respect of provisions of health facilities, clean water and inmate empowerment.
The CGCS, assured the school and the generality of Ibeshe community that the NCS will sustain its CSR over the school, but urged the pupils to reward the service with good behaviours and excellent academic performance.
“I want to assure our teachers, and pupils of this school that this school is now in our heart. We will continue to be part of your progress. We will continue to be your supporter, and also to offer guidance. What we are asking for in return is that, we want our pupils to be good boys and girls; we want you to read your books and pass out from this school in flying colours.
“We want you to be admitted into secondary schools and universities, so that in about fifteen or twenty years time, you will also have become big enough that you can come back to this kind of place to help those generations that will be coming after you. I pray that God will be with you all, and protect you.
While appreciating teachers and other staff of the school, the Comptroller General, charged them to assist in protecting the structures and keep them well maintained.
ACG M. Babandede, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Zonal Co -Ordinator, Zone A Lagos, speaking earlier emphasised the importance of education to the society.
Executive Chairman, LASUBEB, Dr. Hakeem Babatunde Shittu, who was represented by Mr Hakeem Lamidi Abiodun, thanked the NCS for the gesture in improving the academic environment of the school and impact significantly on the development of education.
“You have demonstrated a high level of commitment to the development of basic education in Nigeria as a whole, because the children we have here, their growth knows no bounds. They may be children in Lagos State and Ibeshe land in particular, but you never can tell where they will find themselves tomorrow.
“You have shown to us that education remains the bed rock of sustainable development of this nation.
“We cannot do otherwise than to assure you that this edifice; this state -of -the -art edifice that you have just put in place will be put into proper use by the pupils, teachers, headmistress and the community at large.
“One of the main take aways is that infrastructure and conductive learning environment directly translate into better learning outcomes for the children and that we are going to see any moment from now since you have already provided these state -of -the -art facilities. Thank you very much and God bless you.”
Some of the staff and pupils of the school that spoke with our staff reporter thanked the NCS for the intervention and turnaround of their academic environment to a conducive learning one.
In attendance at the commissioning were His Royal Majesty, Oba Richard Abayomi Ogunsanya, Olubeshe of Ibeshe Kingdom, Omoba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun, Executive Chairman of Igbogbo Baiyeku LCDA, represented by Vice Chairman Honourable Ade Ayeni, and Alhaji Taiwo Abiodun Odumbo, Education Secretary, LGEA Ikorodu, among others.
