How Olu Itori donated school building for birthday

It is not a regular occasion to have a traditional ruler at the commissioning of a project seated as donor of same project. The Olu of Itori, Oba Abdul Fatai Akamo, however, recently upturned the trend when he formally presented a block of classrooms to a public school in his domain. TUNDE BUSARI reports.

October 1 marks the birthday anniversary of the Olu of Itori, the headquarters of Ewekoro Local Government, Ogun State, Oba Abdul Fatai Akamo, who was born on the morning the British Colonial Government officially granted Nigeria independence in 1960.

Oba Akamo is, thus, called independence child by his close friends. At his 59th birthday, which he marked recently in the town, the traditional ruler gave life to his dream when he presented a block of classrooms to the Local Authority Primary School, Gas line Area, Itori.

To teachers, pupils as well as their parents, it was a special day having Oba Akamo in company of the Oluitori-In-Council, Baales and other eminent personalities in their school compound for the presentation ceremony.

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Nigerian Tribune gathered that Oba Akamo had earlier made a case for the school, the result of which were gestures by public-spirited individuals and bodies to improvement of the school’s facilities.

Confirming the findings, the traditional ruler recalled how he influenced Honourable Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka, The Oando Foundation, Dangote Groups and Lafarge PLC to support the school, adding that his motivation to identify with the underprivileged was informed by his belief in investing in the people.

“Every assistance I offer to people, especially the underprivileged, has a way of bringing joy to my heart. Such gesture always reminds me of where I started from as a hawker in Ibadan market and hustler in Lagos before God decided to smile on my struggle and lifted me up. Bearing those experiences in mind, I am always encouraged to identify with those I see in that shoe,” he said.

Oba Akamo also theorized his philanthropic disposition on the premise that knowledge economy rules the contemporary world, urging parents to strive to get their children education, saying engaging brain helps to find solution to problems.

He maintained that he belongs to the school of thought advancing knowledge economy which focuses essentially on human and capital development in contrast to the school of thought which promotes dependence and poverty.

“If you look at industrialised countries of the world, they did not get there overnight. They invested heavily in education of their children. Countries like Japan, China and even India did not become what they are to the world on a silver platter. They lay much emphasis on education, which I call knowledge economy. This is one of the reasons I will always support a project as this. It is not that I am that buoyant but it is about having positive mind to drive one’s intention,” he remarked.

Impressed by Oba Akamo’s donation is the Adagunja of Itori, Chief Wale Bankole, who incidentally is an educationist and school principal in Ogun State. Bankole said the traditional ruler had set yet another standard in leadership and community development for other monarchs in Ogun State and beyond.

The outspoken chief confirmed the passion of Oba Akamo in philanthropic activities even before he became the Olu of Itori in 2004, pointing out that he had lost count of his humanitarian service to individuals and groups.

Also touched by Oba Akamo’s donation is a friend of the town, Prince Yomi Gbadebo. The Lagos-based Gbadebo stated that the Olu of Itori’s leadership template is a source of inspiration to him in particular, drawing a reference in his personal encounter when the traditional ruler emptied his pocket for some needy who sought his assistance in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

“I could not believe my eyes with the way Kabiyesi gave them all he had on him and moved on as if nothing happened. I was inspired that day because he did not even mention the matter after we had left the place. He is a selfless traditional ruler with whom I am pleased to associate,” he said.

Nigerian Tribune