Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-He is first Council Chairman in Lagos to initiate such – Education Secretary
One year after his assumption of office as the Executive Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Omo’ba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun (HOA), kicked-off the construction of the iconic Zumratul Islamiyyah Smart Primary School project in Igbogbo, Igbogbo/Baiyeku Local Council Development Area of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, with a well – attended ground breaking ceremony.
Not even the non – stop rainfall could stop royal fathers, traditional chiefs, government functionaries to attend the ceremony which is a commemorative event for the council chairman’s first anniversary in office.
Some of these dignitaries – Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Barr.) Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, former Secretary to the Lagos State Government and chieftain of the GAC, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, former Minister of Works and also a GAC chieftain, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Benson, APC chieftain, Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya, Ikorodu Constituency II representative, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA), APC Assembly Candidate for Ikorodu Constituency I, Prince Oluwatoyin Gafaar Bolowotan, Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District II, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Omotayo Sanni and Education Secretary, LGEA, Ikorodu LG, Alhaji Taiwo Odumboamong others, joined Omo’ba Aroyewun in laying the German foundation for the two -storey building school structure.
The 30 classrooms structure, expected to be constructed within 24 months, will feature digital facilities to train pupils and equip them in shaping a technology -driven future. In the interior of the building, there will be classrooms, head teacher’s office, office space for teachers, ICT Centre, Library and toilet facilities.
There will be well laid out car park, sports arena, and garden as features of the exterior.
Omo’ba Aroyewun speaking on why his administration conceived the educational project, said that the need to provide access to education for many pupils in and around Zumratul and adjoining communities and the need to imbibe contemporary digital knowledge in younger ones from their early stage motivated the construction.
“We proposed this school to give access to education for children in and around Zumratul down to Agunfoye who are attending schools in far away communities going through great difficulties that are faced in trying to acquire education.”
“When we consider the school, we also came into the realisation that technology is very important as part of learning in our modern day, we then decided not to construct the conventional schools that we are used to, but a digital compliant infrastructure to prepare our children for the future.
He said that despite the daunting task of achieving the project, he (Chairman Aroyewun) revealed he was motivated by the comment of one of his political leaders and the former Commissioner for Agriculture, Lagos State, Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya.
“It may take time and more resources, but I am encouraged by the words of one of my leaders at an apex meeting when I presented the proposal to them.
He charged that I should not limit myself to what I can achieve because of the size of a project, rather, he encouraged me to follow it through. That really challenged and motivated me to give all to the achievement of the project.”
Omo’ba Aroyewun furthered,
“Our House of Assembly members that also visited us today (Monday) also commended the idea and also encouraged us to ensure that we complete it in good time.”
He assured stakeholders that the project will be completed and commissioned as scheduled.
“I want to assure you all that with the help of God and support of our leaders and other critical stakeholders that we are going to complete this project within time.
“It’s a 30- classroom project with modern facilities like CBT centre that will house about 20 computer systems, so that our children will not be running around for computer based tests.
“It will also have a standard pitch to give them platform to refresh and relax with other activities.”
He pleaded with prayers and support of stakeholders for the project to be delivered within the targeted 24 months.
The Education Secretary, LGEA, Ikorodu LG, Alhaji Taiwo Odumbo, stated his constituency is with the highest numbers of primary pupils and teachers in Lagos State
“Ikorodu Local Government has the highest number of primary school pupils in Lagos State with over 35, 000 pupils. Ikorodu LGA also has the highest numbers of primary school teachers in Lagos State, with about 2000 teachers. Unfortunately, we do not have a corresponding number of schools. Epe, Mushin, Ajeromi Ifelodun and Alimosho have between 75 and 78 public primary schools.
“Alimosho comes close to Ikorodu in terms of the number of pupils but their figure is not up to 30, 000 pupils, whereas , Ikorodu has over 35, 000 pupils. It means that we are shortchanging ourselves in terms of the number of schools. At the moment, we have only 69 approved public primary schools in Ikorodu LGA and when the newly created Ilado Primary School is approved it will be 70.”
The LGEA Secretary notes that Chairman Aroyewun with the new school will help Ikorodu LGA to have the required number of schools to accommodate its large number of pupils.
“With this, Chairman Aroyewun has come to our rescue to give us another school and he is not just giving us just any school, he will be the first local government chairman that will be giving us a smart school in Lagos State,” Alhaji Odumbo said.
HRM Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, in his royal remarks thanked the IBLCDAvChairman specially for the initiative and construction of a school describing it as the best gift the Chairman can give a community.
“This is the best gift that you can give me as a gift. Thank you very much for this. At the palace, we expect nothing else except developmental projects like this. I pray that you will be empowered to complete this project within time.”
Adeboruwa also thanked President Bola Tinubu for empowering the local government administration in Nigeria.
An elder statesman, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun in is own remarks also expressed appreciation to the IBLCDA Chairman.
“I thank God that I am participating in this programme and I want to thank God specially for the chairman for initiating the school project and bringing us here.
“It was about many years ago that the Odofin of Igbogbo (Odofin Tajudeen Onasanya) identified this place as part of the delegation to the Ministry (on mini power station in Igbogbo).
“Today, God has used you (Chairman Aroyewun) to get another approval to use this place for a school. I congratulate you for this initiative,” Asiwaju Basorun said.
Sen Adeseye Ogunlewe, former Minister for Works, also applauded Aroyewun and congratulated residents of IBLCDA for what he described as good governance from Aroyewun’s administration.
“I want to congratulate the entire Igbogbo, Oretta, Offin, Ibeshe, Baiyeku and Elepe; congratulations for the laudable projects and good governance that the administration of Aroyewun has been giving us in the last one year.
“It is because we have our son that listens to advice and is ready to deliver on his mandate. This is what governance is all about.”
He commended Rep. Babajimi Benson for championing the emergence of the young Council boss and ensuring that he and others are performing.
Sen. Ogunlewe urged Council Chairmen to ensure that pupils in primary schools are also exposed to various crafts and skills and not just the classrooms learning alone. He emphasised that good skills should be inculcated in them right from when they are young to develop interest in vocations that are critical to national development.
The GAC chieftain assured Chairman Aroyewun of further support.
Another political leader and a foremost educationist, Asiwaju Kaoli Olusanya, said Aroyewun has invested in the future of the community through the educational and technological initiative.
“I joined others to congratulate Aroyewun and his cabinet for deciding to invest in education. Now and in the foreseeable future, the only way any community can compete is in investment in education and technology. The best investment that you can have is human capital development, particularly from primary schools.
“When I looked at the building from the architectural design, I thought it was a school in New York. The exterior is also encouraging. To have this kind of school in Igbogbo is awesome and that is the best we can give to our teachers and pupils.”
Asiwaju Kaoli also emphasised the need for the government to ensure free education.
In his own remarks, Rep. Babajimi Benson, emphasising the importance of the school said that it will serve to accommodate more pupils and assures that he will partner other stakeholders to build and facilitate more educational infrastructure.
“This smart school will accommodate about 1000 pupils. It is our pride and the facility will serve the entire Ikorodu Division.”
“I, in partnership with Sen. Abiru, Hon. AMA, all the council chairmen and Kabiyesis will ensure that Ikorodu is on top in terms of educational infrastructure because we cannot have large numbers of pupils and have the least number of schools.
“We are going to ensure that President Bola Tinubu and the Governor help us achieve our aims in this regard,” the federal lawmaker assured.
While stating that President Bola Tinubu deserves commendations for creating the LCDAs when he was the Governor of Lagos State, Rep. Benson added that his empowerment of the local government has also made the Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA to embark on school construction.
“Aroyewun, you are doing well with the mantle of leadership that you have been given by building blocks for greater Igbogbo Kingdom and if you continue to do this, the sky will be your starting point. I see you doing greater things and I can see your people happy working with you. The leaders are also happy with you. So, you don’t have a choice but to live up to the expectations,” Rep. Benson said.
Mr Omotayo Sanni, Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District II, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, also commending the Chairman, Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, added that his agenda is in alignment with that of Mr Governor’s THEMES – Plus Agenda.
“What you are about to do is a greater giant step. You are capturing our children’s minds and positioning them for 21st-century skills that will enable them to compete with children across the world. You are sowing the seed of greatness for every one that is enrolled in this school.”
Representative of Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA), also speaking stressed that Omo’ba Aroyewun is intentional about development in his council.
He stated that he has no fear that the chairman will complete the construction in record time and commission the same.
