By Felix Kuyinu and Mohammed Adekola
The Minister For Solid Materials of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Honourable Dele Alake, has donated educational materials to Oladele Alake Primary School in Ejigbo, Lagos.
Alake, at the presentation of the items held at the school premises on Monday, noted that the provision was organized to offer support to the pupils and improve the facilities of the school.
The Minister, who was represented by the Vice Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Folake Alake, stated that a foundation which centres on creating an enabling educational environment to the pupils is sacrosant. He added that facilitating an avenue where pupils can have a seamless educational experience became one of the motives behind the provision.
The donor reminisced that there was a dialogue with the school management on the needs and challenges facing the school. He further disclosed that the administrators stressed on the need to sandfil the flooded school premises, construct drainage around the school alongside provision of chairs and desks for the students and teachers.
Alake mentioned that he remains pleased to make provision for the requests by donating 100 sets of chairs for both students and teachers, a Television set for ECCED classes, four units of Desktop Computers, 200 uniforms for the less privileged students, 4000 exercise books and a better signage which was commissioned during the event.
The Minister said: “Today, it is with great satisfaction that I hand over this facilities and items as my modest contribution to the learning environment of Oladele Alake Primary School.
“I must add that this donation have been made possible by the support of several corporate friends including the National Cargo Handling Company, NAHCO, alongside others. I wish to acknowledge the the critical role of my Special Adviser, Honourable Kehinde Bamigbetan, in executing this project successfully.
“As a Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA back then, he took the initiative of naming this school in my name, the first public school in Ailegun area of the LCDA to form a symbiosis between my family and the people of Ejigbo that exists till today.
“It is my fervent prayer that the improved conditions in the school shall give the students a space to stand to move the world.”
He admonished the parents of the pupils saying: ” My message to you parents is to invest in your children. They are your future. Make sure your children attend classes and provide assistance to ensure diligence in their studies.”
In her words, the council Vice Chairman counseled the pupils saying: ” You young ones, your importance is noted in our society as you’re the leaders of tomorrow.
“As an educationist, I have to give our pupils kudos for their efforts in their pursuits of a successful tomorrow. I was also a student like you and I can tell you that for you to be recognized like the big wigs here today, it is not by magic. You have to work for it.
“Your journey for such tomorrow starts today. Education gives you such an opportunity and when an opportunity comes your way, you have to grab it. Take your studies seriously. Read your books and listen attentively to your teachers. Prepare for your exams very well and by adhering to all these, success is yours. There is no magic in becoming successful in life other than you striving for it.
“The Minister who is giving out these items to you was once a student like you and he, without doubt, listened to his teachers back then. I want you to emulate these examples in your career.
“I remember what my teachers told me back then and that is exactly what I am telling you now. You need to make your parents happy by making good grades and disassociating yourselves from bag gangs as they can prevent your from the benefits of a successful tomorrow.”
She told the teachers: “To you teachers, our children are in your care. We believe you will guide them accordingly and put them on the right educational paths.
“They are also your children and we urge you to continue using your expertise to train this young ones and we are sure that you’ll be happy seeing them become successful in the future as products of this school.”
Honourable Kehinde Bamigbetan, lauded the initiative of the Minister and urged the school management to use the donated materials for more developments of the students and school.
Bamigbetan, a two- term Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, noted that the donor is keen on injecting positive mindset into the pupils with the materials provided, pep talk and goodwill messages.
He said: “The Honourable Minister is very passionate about the children. He has a theory of family upbringing, nurturing of the kids, the atmosphere the children are growing up.
“Some people are trying to bring up their children in a morally acceptable way and that is what the Honourable Minister is trying to demonstrate. He is injecting quality education into the children so they can compete in any part and level in the world.
“His act today is also to demonstrate the idea of the President of Nigeria, our own President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is, creating an enabling environment for the students so as to excel in their studies.
“Right now in this school, students will no longer think of a flooded surrounding. They are no longer thinking about exercise books. They won’t think of the problem of uniforms.
“The knowledge of computer has been aided through the provision of computer sets. All these have been cleared, just because one man believes that the Nigerian child has the right to compete anywhere in the world and he has acted on that. We have to thank him over what he has done today.”
The Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Monsurudeen Bello, said that he was pleased with the turn out of the event. He stressed that the initiative will not only provide developments in the school but also in the community and Lagos at large.
Bello, represented by Akinwunmi Olanrewaju, Leader of the House, in the council, said:” It has been a fantastic program because it has to do with education. We all know that education is the bedrock of knowledge and this is set up to build future leaders.
“As responsible leaders, it is important to create an enabling environment for these students as they are the leaders of tomorrow. The materials given out today will aid their knowledge and propel them to become useful to themselves, their families, the LCDA, Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.
“In Ejigbo, we can boast of a creditable level of education and we need to do more so as to make sure we sharpen the minds of this kids positively.
“Every year, the LCDA presents allocation for education and as the Leader of the House, I can say the council is doing immensely well to improve the level of education in the community.
“We have put up projects, education wise, and I can inform of the construction of a new nursery and primary school in Ilamoshe ward, that is the Akinsanya Ajanire school, which was commissioned by the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Honourable Obafemi Hazmat.”
Bello admonished the students and school management saying: “It is now in the hands of the school administrators to use these materials for the benefit of the school. I urge them to use these materials judiciously and for the intended purpose of the donation.
“I also advice the students to focus on their studies and shun bad gangs as it can affect them from having a fulfilling tomorrow.”
The Head teacher of the school, Mrs Agunwa Terresa, said: “This is my first month in the school and it has been a wonderful experience.
“The Oladele Alake Primary school is growing very well, well monitored and the children are well taken care of.
“The donation by the Minister is a wonderful act. I urge our people to continue appreciating good things done for them. I really appreciate the Minister for the kind gesture.
“His act has given this school a facelift and his counsel to the teachers and students will be followed. He is a benevolent man and I once again appreciate his act. I pray God rewards him and strengthen him to be able to continue his good deeds which I’m sure he will.
“I appreciate all dignatories here today. The Vice Chairman of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, Honourable Folake Alake, the Special Adviser to the Minister, Honourable Kehinde Bamigbetan and the Chairman of our LCDA here, Honourable Monsurudeen Bello and other big wigs in the council area.
“I appreciate their efforts in channeling the minds these pupils positively.”
One of the pupils who couldn’t hide his delightment, Jimoh Olanrewaju said: “I want to thank our daddies who are here today to give us the items.
“Our school appears better now and I can’t wait to benefit from the new things brought to the school.”