Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, commissioned an ultra-modern block of classrooms with football pitch and a multi-purpose sports court at Keme Balogun Junior/Senior College, Ibeshe, Ikorodu, being part of his administration’s commitment to providing quality and accessible education for students across the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu commissioned a new block of classrooms at Ajegunle Junior High School, Owode-Onirin which was destroyed by flooding some years back.
The schools were part of the projects executed by the Special Committee on Repair of Public Schools (SCRPS) set up by the governor to carry out building and repair of schools across the state.
Speaking during the commissioning, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the events as ambitious, which he said consolidated his administration’s commitment to the development and pursuit of educational excellence and socio-economic development in Lagos.
The governor said education, being a cornerstone of his administration’s THEMES+ development agenda, remains the engine that drives economic growth, reduces inequality, and empowers individuals to break the cycle of poverty, adding that his government was investing in the socio-economic fabric of this community by investing in these schools.
Sanwo-Olu expressed happiness that he had kept to his electoral promises, one of which was addressing challenges in the education sector.
“We are happy we can keep all of our promises. We are assuring you to make Lagos bigger and better. Part of our 30- year development plan is to make education an important pillar that we will continue to deliver on. We will not shy away from responsibility and do more for our people,” the governor said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, therefore, charged students on academic excellence in their West African School Certificate Examinations (WAEC), saying that they should ensure they excel so that he could come back and do a good job for those schools and other schools.
Speaking further, the governor commended the state government Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS) for ensuring that there were no delays of apartment projects or other school projects, assuring that the government “will continue to ensure that it does not only complete the schools, but also equip them with all that is needed and meet the goals of our administration.”
He assured of administration’s commitment to fulfilling its own part of providing first-class infrastructure in the schools, as well as providing teachers that were well-educated to teach the students.
The governor equally charged parents to ensure that they engaged their wards by talking to them to give them a well-rounded future.
The State Commissioner for Basic Education, Jamie Tolani Alli-Balogun, said the simultaneous commissioning of new 16 blocks of classrooms across the state was a demonstration of the Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to providing top notch education to Lagosians.
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“This is a shining testament to your dedication to the well being of the students, providing conducive learning environments and opportunities for students to develop their physical and emotional skills. We are investing in the future of the students, providing them with resources to excel in life,” the commissioner said.
Also speaking, SCRPS Chairman, Hakeem Smith, while giving an overview of the construction of the school, said the deplorable condition of the school was brought to the attention of the governor, who immediately ordered repair work to be carried out.
He said the new school was equipped with modern facilities such as 30 toilets, football pitch, race track, basketball and tennis courts
“The school got attention when the governor heard about its poor state. It has two bungalows that were in bad condition. When we started work, one of the bungalows was destroyed and a soil test was conducted to determine the type of foundation,” he said
Smith commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for revamping schools across the state, adding that the population of students in public schools had increased as parents were now withdrawing their children from private schools and enrolling them in public schools.
“You have shown immense support to revamping Lagos schools. The population in public schools has increased,” he said.
The Chairman, Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for fulfilling his election promises to the people, and not disappointing the party, assuring the people of Ikorodu that the party would continue to provide more infrastructure.
The Principal, Keme Balogun, Junior /Senior College, Dauda Olagoke, equally thanked the governor for the repair of the school, describing him as a role model who he said epitomized perfection based on his love for the students.
“You are indeed a role model. You epitomize perfection, you love these students,” he said.
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