Nigeria, April 18, 2016 – A strong case has been made for philanthropic organisations and other well-meaning Nigerians to assist government in providing conducive learning environment especially in public schools.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Modupe Miyota gave the charge on Friday, while commissioning a block of four classrooms, donated by the Rotary Club of Omole Golden at Ajuwon Senior Secondary School, Ajuwon, Ogun State.
She said the state government would be indebted to all stakeholders who rise to the challenge of giving the youths of the state an opportunity of a better tomorrow.
“When we initially heard of what you are doing, we were surprised; we are indeed amazed at the level you have gone to make learning conducive in this school”, she said.
She pledged the commitment of the government, the ministry as well as the management of the school in ensuring that the block of classrooms would be properly maintained.
The Club’s President Mr. Idowu Afelogun described the project as the “Star Project” for the club, for the 2015/2016 Rotary Year. He said about N5 million was sunk into the project. Afelogun said the club resolved to give the school a befitting block of classrooms, when members, who came for the evacuation of the mountainous waste dumpsite within the school premises, learnt that the school was in need for classrooms and saw the condition under which many of the students were learning.
He said the club, is proud to have partnered with the government and more particularly in intervening in the lives of all children who will pass through the school.
Afelogun said the school in the past been provided a borehole and a block of six modern toilet facility from the Club, as part of its yearly service projects, adding that the classrooms building is in continuation of its commitment to the enhancement of the social infrastructure of the school.
The Acting Principal of the school Mr. Ade Ogunfowote, described the gesture as a wonderful intervention coming at a time the school was battling with shortage of classrooms for students.
He assured the government that the school management would make judicious use of the facility, even as he pledged to the club in the preservation of “its gift” to the school.
The highlights of the event was the commissioning of the Rotary’s 4 Way Test signboard,(also donated by the club), by the District Governor of District 9110, Otunba Bola Onabadejo, who was represented by the District Secretary Mr. Femi Adenekan, and the planting of a commemorative tree at the school’s reclaimed dumpsite, by the former Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Ogun State Barrister Segun Odubela. Former Principal of the school, Mrs Olabisi Banjoko, who approved the rehabilitation of the classroom block, praised the club for finishing the project on time. She said she has no doubt the classrooms would be judiciously used by the school.
The school’s PTA chairman Apostle A.O. Akinola challenged other humanitarian organisations to copy the example of the Rotary International and make impact in the lives of the people around them.
He said he is surprised that the club would think of doing such a gigantic project in the area, when none of its member’s children attends the school.
The Zonal Education Officer, Ifo Zone, Mrs B.B. Makinde said if more of such organisations could intervene in the education sector, the problem of classroom spaces confronting all schools in the state would be a thing of the past.
