Guests Shower Encomiums On Otunba Ayinde Ibikunle As He Donates Science Equip To Alma Mater

By AbuSatar Hamed

ILARO-YEWA: A call has gone to the people of Ogun West to support the government in its quest to educate Nigerian pupils.
Otunba (Dr) SAJ Ibikunle, the President, Otunba Ayinde Ibikunle Foundation stated this on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at the presentation of some science equipment to the pupils of the Christ Church Primary School, Ilaro, headquarters of Ogun West.

He noted that the issue of educating Nigerian pupils should not be the responsibility of the 3tier of government alone, but some wealthy stakeholders should go back to their respective Alma Mata and improve the condition of the school.

Otunba Ibikunle disclosed that he was impressed when he visited the school sometime last year seeing some pupils being taught English and the learners responding back in good English.

His words, “I was surprised to see some pupils being taught in English and they responding in good English. This we didn’t have the opportunity during our days in the school”.

“It was then I now decided that something must be done to support the school and encourage the learners in taking their education very seriously.

“Though our foundation has been contributing to the education sector in Ogun state in some tertiary institutions, but we have decided to include some primary schools in ilaro and Yewa in general”.

Otunba Ibikunle said that the foundation was established to give back to the society and that the organization is being managed by tried and tested people of impeccable character.

He also said that the foundation in conjunction with the US-based Eduworth Foundation is set to develop and renovate some structures, especially the fence of Christ Church Primary School, Ilaro.

“We shall also extend this to other primary schools in Ilaro and other parts of Yewaland. I want to use this medium to seek for support from likes mind to join us in making education very interesting to our children, he posited.

The Acting Secretary, Yewa South Local government Education Authority, Ilaro Prince Olufemi Olubiyi who was represented by Mrs Okuneye expressed his appreciation to Otunba Ibikunle for his large heart to give back to the society through the foundation.

Prince Olubiyi said that others should imbibe the spirit of Otunba Ibikunle by supporting government in its quest to give children of the state qualitative education in a serene and conducive environment.

He noted that he has been following Otunba Ibikunle’s giant strides towards the development of education in the state and Yewa in particular.

The LGEA Secretary however advised the Head Teacher of the school to make good use of the equipment for the benefits of the pupils the items were donated.

Speaking in the same vein, the Education Officer of LGEA, Yewa South, Mr. Kabir Oyeyemi also commended Otunba Ibikunle for the good gesture, saying that others should emulate him in the development of education in Yewaland.

In his own speech, AOPSHON Chairman, Yewa South, who was represented by Comrade Adekunle Babatunde, thanked Otunba Ibikunle for his philanthropic efforts to his Alma mater and other institutions in the region.

Comrade Adekunle disclosed that Christ Church Primary School, Ilaro has been on the forefront in any educational competition within and outside Ilaro.

He however advised that people should borrow a leaf from Otunba Ibikunle by going back to develop their Alma Mata.

The NUT Chairman for Yewa South Local Government, Comrade Sunday Odewole called on the government to provide security apparatus for all primary schools in Yewaland.

Comrade Odewole noted that in the wake of insecurity in the country there’s need for the state government to take proactive measure at providing security for the pupils and teachers of primary schools in Ogun State.

He noted that the auxiliary security guards in some primary schools are being paid for by the PTA and teachers of the schools.
The Yewa NUT boss, disclosed that the union has facilitated many projects to various primary schools in Yewa South.

While appreciating the good gesture of Otunba (Dr) S.A.J. Ibikunle, the President, Otunba Ayinde Ibikunle Foundation towards the development of education in Ogun state and Yewa in particular, Comrade Odewole called on other philanthropists in the area to support the government in making education interesting to their children.

He also commended the Head Teacher of the school, Mrs. Folayewo and other teachers for their dedication and commitment towards educating leaders of tomorrow.

In her welcome addressed, the Head Teacher of Christ Church Primary School, Ilaro, Mrs. Folayewo thanked Otunba (Dr) S.A.J. Ibikunle for the presentation of the science equipment, saying she feels honoured for the good gesture.

Her words, “I’m humbled and feels honored to stand here today to appreciate the philanthropic gesture of Otunba Ayinde Ibikunle Foundation for the help and support given to this school.

“Infact the pupils and staff of Christ Church Primary School, Ilaro have been looking for the right moment to voice out our inward and deep gratitude towards your good gesture to our school.

“We are not forgetting when your Otunba Ayinde Ibikunle Foundation painted all the school some years back. Baba, we say thank you sir.

Presenting the equipments to the school on behalf of the foundation, Pharm. Lekan Asuni, the chairman of Ilaro Development Council (IDC) described Otunba (Dr) S.A.J. Ibikunle as an elderly man with large heart and someone who meant well for his root.

Asuni noted that he has heard about many good gestures of Otunba Ibikunle, not only to his birthplace, but all where he had passed through, “the reason why some of us now following his footsteps in the development of our people”.

He said the need to develop Nigeria’s education sector cannot be overemphasized, adding that every Nigerian must support the government in educating our children.

The former Managing Director of GlaxosmithKline now Chairman, Lefas Pharmaceuticals said all hands must be on deck to improve the learning environment of our pupils and their welfare.

He noted that as a former student of the school he will continue to support the development of the institution and others in Yewaland.
Earlier in his address, the Vice President of Otunba Ayinde Ibikunle Foundation, Prince Deji Adewale said the idea behind the presentation of the equipments “is to give back to the society that was there when we started our journey in life”.

He disclosed that the President of Otunba Ayinde Ibikunle Foundation is determine to do all within his capability to give his Alma Mater – Christ Church Primary School, Ilaro a befitting facelift that would make education more interesting for the pupils of the school.

“Otunba Ayinde Ibikunle Foundation is pose to put in place every facility that will give the school a befitting facelift, and this is not stopping the government or other philanthropists to support our projects.

The event was graced by crème of the society from within and outside Ilaro. They included Prince Deji Adewale, Prince Bayo Adewale, Chief Leke Ibikunle, Yeye Olayinka Ibikunle and Omooba Cameron Ibikunle, grandson to Otunba SAJ Ibikunle that came from London for the occasion.

Others are Mr. Gbenga Akinyemi, Mr. Jimoh Azeez (CMS, PTA Chairman),Prince Sabauna Olusoji, Mr. & Chief (Mrs.) Gabriel Ibikunle and Elhadj AbuSatar Idowu Hamed, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of StarTrend Int’l magazine & www.startrendinternational.com among a host of others.

The school cultural troupe treated audience to superlative ewi poet and dance steps, while the Bata Drummers Ilaro supplied the articulated rhythm.