By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos.
The first Executive Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande has stressed the need for government at all levels to embark on people friendly and enduring programmes and policies.
Jakande said such programmes are the ones that are remarkable and could stand the text of time.
The former governor, spoke Thursday at the 35th Founder’s
Day/Award ceremony of Ilogbo High School, Ebute-metta,Lagos, organised by the Alumni Association, where he was honoured with an award of excellet service for establishing the school and others during his tenure in the second republic.
A one time minister of Housing during the tenure of late Gen.Sani Abacha, the octogenarian said his passion for the future of younger generation prompted his government to embark on the construction of massive schools across the nooks and crannies of the state, adding that products of the schools have become wealthy and eminent personality in the society.
His words, “I am very grateful that this occasion came to being and happy to be honoured for the work i did 35 years ago, it is a memorable one that i can never forget. The project is an enduring legacy and that is why it has remained till today that am being honoured, which government at all levels should follow”.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary/ Tutor- General, Education District IV, Mrs. Lola Are- Adegbite emphasised on the importance of Alumni associations, saying members have a lot to contribute to the development of their former schools.
Adegbite pointed out that there was the need for wealthy individuals to give back to their former schools, since the school was the foundation of whatever they become.
The permanent secretary said the call became imperative, stressing that government alone can not provide all that is required for the development of the education sector, hence the need for the support of all stakeholders.
She also enjoined community members to always support government’s efforts in the development of schools’ infrastructure.
Her words, ” Old students have a great contribution to make to the development of their former schools, some of them are wealthy people in the society, they should give back to the schools that made them.
It gladdens my heart when i see a conglomerate of Old Students being able to gather under the auspice of Old Students Association and are giving back to their Alma- mater. I am humbled by your thoughtfulness and quite amazed at your generosity with regards to the project you have executed. In this instance, not only have you gathered for the fun of it but you have deemed it fit to give back to the school that “raised you”. I believed that this achievement is not only laudable but worthy of emulation”.
The Permanent secretary therefore implored members of alma- mater of others schools to emulate the gesture of the Ilogbo High School by contributing to the development of their former schools.
In his welcome address President of the Alumni Association, Mr.Lateef Adigun lamented the relegation of the school to a junior one, imploring the state government to revert it to its former status.
As part of its contribution to the development of the school, a set of 140 desks and benches were donated to the school by the association, with a promise by Adigun that a multi-purpose sport court and five toilet rooms will be built for the school before the end of the year.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Baale of Otumara community, High Chief Oladipupo Arowojolu decried the relegation of the school to a junior status and the deplorable state of the only access road to the school.
He appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to urgently come to the aid of the school by addressing the abnormalities.
