Kunle Adelabu & Wale Jagun
On Friday, January 24, Lion Austen Taiwo Odulye completed his two-term ten-year tenure of five years each, as the Education Secretary of Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Ikorodu, and many teachers in Ikorodu Division, especially those in the primary school sub-sector, are eagerly awaiting his successor.
Oduloye, who was appointed into the position in 2010, succeeded late Alhaji Salau Ayo Oredein.
Other former Executive Secretary of the Ikorodu LGEA are Prince Adegbola Amusa and Mr Ogunbegun.
Many of the teachers that spoke in confidence with THE IMPACT stated that the LGEA is currently in need of an administrator who understands the terrain better and in tune with the yearnings of the primary school teachers in the six councils of Ikorodu Division.
The struggle for Oduloye’s successor has continue to divide the teachers in Ikorodu into primary and secondary camps with former still maintaining that they have the exclusive right to the position
Some of the teachers in the primary school system that spoke with THE IMPACT are demanding that someone from their section should replace the outgoing Education Secretary while those in the secondary school are of the view that there is no stipulation in the regulations that created the position that states that only teachers in the Primary school section are entitled to the position adding that anyone from either of the sections with the required qualifications and capability can manage the LGEA.
Another school of thought among the teachers in Ikorodu are canvassing for appointment of a serving teacher as the next Education Secretary of the LGEA on the ground that such would act in the interest of teachers and development of the primary education system instead of a retiree with little or nothing to lose.
While there is divergent of views on where the next Education Secretary should come from, there is one constant factor that teachers from both sections agreed with – the need to have an administrator per excellence at the helm of affairs of the LGEA to continue from where Lion Oduloye stopped and take it to another level.
According to a retired staff of LGEA, the institution is in a very crucial period and as result, needs a good administrator.
“The incumbent has done his bit and made his own mark. We are all aware that the LGEA that we are having now is not same with what we used to have before. The LGEA is in a very crucial period and we need an educationist that thoroughly understands what primary education entails and also has the administrative capacity to make human resources productive” , he stated.
A serving primary school teacher in Ikorodu also speaking with our reporter, also stated:
“There is nothing that has beginning that does not has an end. He (the former Education Secretary) has done his own part. I hope those that are going to be deciding who will succeed him will look beyond their usual politics and consider the interest of teachers and thousands of pupils in Ikorodu in their decision”
“We need somebody that will ensure that primary education in Ikorodu is place on high pedestal. Someone that truly understands our plights. We have at least four candidates among those contesting for the position that can turn around the situation if merit is allowed to prevail in the selection exercise”, she added.
Another teacher who also spoke with THE IMPACT, stated:
“We need an administrator who enjoys popular support of LGEA Staff and teachers in Ikorodu and not someone that the politicians just want there. We need a good human and resources manager in the class of late Alhaji S.A. Oredein to steer the ship of the Education Authority back to safety”.
The former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ikorodu chapter, who retired as the Head Teacher of Oga Primary School, Asiwaju Lateef Oduguwa, also speaking about the incumbent and expectations from the new Education Secretary, stated:
“Mr Oduloye is not a perfect man but very fair. He’s always ready to listen to everybody irrespective of who you are. He is a man that takes his time in acting on any proposal and when he does, he gives it his all”.
Odugunwa added that it was Oduloye that gave him the permission to build the Teachers House during his tenure as the NUT Chairman and supported his administration without hesitation.
The retired Head Teacher also added that he expect the new ES to carry everybody along and administer the office with fear of God and serve his people.
Another teacher In Ikorodu West LCDA described the outgoing ES as:
“A father that listens and very accommodating. He doesn’t discriminate and knows what he is doing. I hope that his successor will adopt his open-door method and deal with teachers fairly”.
It was gathered that about 20 candidates, many of whom are retirees from Senior and Primary Schools and the LGEA, are interested in succeeding the outgone ES, but only 14 appeared before the screening committee set-up by the Divisional leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which sat on Friday, November 8, 2019.
The screening took place at the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat hall with the Chairman of the Lagos State Local Government Service Commission and former Head of Service, Alhaji Babatunde Rotinwa, as the Screening Committee Chairman.
Other members of the committee representing the six councils in the Division were Aremo Adesegun Ogunlewe (Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Alhaji Muslim Animashaun (Ikorodu Local Government), Otunba Olasunkanmi Tijani (Ikorodu North LCDA), Mr Odumosu (Imota), Alhaji Lanre Kuye (Ijede) and Mr Odusanya (Ikorodu West LCDA).
Another screening committee setup by the Senatorial and Divisional leadership has the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly and representative of Ikorodu Constituency I, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, as the Chairman.
Eleven candidates, out of the 14 aspiring for the ES position, that appeared before the first committee were in attendance at the second screening held at the Lagos State House of Assembly also in November 2019.
Other members of the committee were the representative of the Ikorodu Constituency II, Hon. Nurudeen Solaja, former Secretary to Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Matthew Adesanya, a senior education officer with the Lagos State Government, Alhaji Kabat Ajalogun, an APC Chieftain, Captain Benson, two-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and two-term Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Hon. Saheed Hassan Adefarasin and former acting Commissioner for Tourism, Special Adviser on Arts & Culture and former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. (Chief) Mrs Adebimpe Akinsanya.
According to some of the contenders that spoke with THE IMPACT, they stated that while the interaction with the Alhaji Rotinwa’s committee was political aside the chairman and two other members of the committee, who are retired and serving administrator, that truly engaged them, the other committee, led by Hon. Agunbiade, was said to be more professional and thorough as all the panel members adequately participated in scrutinizing the candidates that appeared before them.
THE IMPACT gathered that the two committees focused on the candidates’ profiles and political affiliations. In addition, the committee that sat at the Assembly, we gathered, sought the opinion of the candidates on problems facing the LGEA and primary school system in Ikorodu and also asked them to proffer ways out and how they will work towards helping the Governor achieve its educational goal as stipulated in his policy agenda, THESE.
According to our findings, those that appeared before Alhaji Rotinwa’s committee were:
Mrs Kudirat Onafowokan is another experienced teacher that had served within and outside Ikorodu. She was once the Secretary of the Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS) and retired as Head of Department, Quality Assurance in Kosofe LGEA.
Mr Babatunde Owolabi, who retired from the LGEA in 2018 as a personnel officer saddled with many responsibilities like appointment, confirmation of appointment etc. A professional teacher in the primary school system and a Classroom tutor in many primary schools before being transferred to LGEA in 2005. He is one of the privileged officers trained by the late seasoned administrator of the Ikorodu LGEA, Alhaji Oredein. He is also politically active and had served the ruling party in many positions.
He has very strong political capital and massive support base among LGEA system and among primary school teachers. He was active and respected NUT figure. He has necessary administrative knowledge and temperament to pilot the teachers’ affairs. He was a former Secretary, APC Local Organising Committee, and President, Government Teachers’ College Alumni Association, Igbogbo.
Another candidate is Alhaji Y.O. Aregbesola, who retired as the Head Teacher, Lagos State Polytechnic Staff School, Ikorodu main campus. He is a seasoned administrator with active political engagement. He is currently the APC Ward A Chairman in Ikorodu. Aregbesola also served in many schools in Ikorodu before transferring his service to the LASPOTECH Staff School where he retired as the Head Taecher.
He is a force to reckon with politically and that may come handy for him. His liveliness has enhanced his popularity among teachers and the political class.
Alhaji Afolabi Jamiu, another professional teacher who retired as a senior officer with the LGEA is also a top contender. Though, easy going and cannot be said to politically active, but he’s another seasoned administrator well loved by many teachers.
He was also close to the NUT while in service.
Mrs Ogunleye is another candidate from the primary school system who also retired as a senior officer with the LGEA.
Others candidates that operated within the primary school system and vying for the Education Secretary position are Mr Shakiru Orefuwa, Mrs Rahmat F.K, Mrs Oduloye and one other.
The Secondary School contingent is led by the popular retired Principal of the Lagos State Model College, Igbokuta, and former Council administrator, Alhaji Wakiludeen Anibaba who is said to be popular within both the primary and secondary schools system with adequate experience and required administrative capacity.
Anibaba is also said to have a strong political base and very close to the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), both at Ikorodu and State level. He is said to have adequate managerial abilities.
Anibaba is also a member of the ruling APC who has contributed immensely to the development of the party in Ikorodu and outside the division. He is said to have backing of some traditional rulers in the division.
Another contender, Mr Afolabi Amusa, retired as a Principal. Though, his political base is not pronounced, but he seems to be a candidate with a strong connection with a political bloc in Ikorodu Constituency II.
It is gathered that he has been nominated as the Constituency II candidate for the job.
Also, Alhaji Luqman Shonibare, who retired as a Vice Principal, Government Senior College, Ikorodu, is another administrator who has a strong political base that could place him in good stead for LGEA Executive Secretaryship. He is currently the Secretary, Lagos State Community Development Advisory Council (LSCDAC), Chairman, Central Development Committee (CDC), Ikorodu Local Government.
Shonibare is another candidate with strong affiliation with APC both at the divisional and state levels.
Mr Adegboyega Odofin retired as Principal Ayangbure Secondary School and he is said to be backed by a strong traditional ruler. He is also described by many as a seasoned administrator.
Other candidates from the secondary school section are Mrs Oduloye and Mr Mukadam Raheem.
The above mentioned candidates also appeared before the Hon. SOB Agunbiade led committee at the Assembly Complex.
THE IMPACT gathered that Mr Shakiru Orefuwa, Mrs Ogunleye and one other candidate that appeared before the first panel did not appear before the panel that sat at the Assembly, while three new other candidates who did not appear before Alhaji Rotinwa’s committee made their first appearance at the Assembly.
The three new entrants are Mr Olalere Olukoga who retired as a Head Teacher and was also former Chairman, Association of Primary School Head Teachers in Ikorodu, Mrs Yinusa who is also a former Chairman of the Association of Primary School Teachers and another female candidate.
It was also gathered that there are other interested teachers that are just joining the race for the position of ES are making serious behind the scene moves. Some of these teachers are said to have sufficient qualifications and experience required for the job and also, the political backing that can change the prevailing permutations.
One of such is Alhaji Taiwo Odumbo, who is currently the Principal of Lagos State University (LASU), Staff School in Ojo. Odumbo, before joining the service of LASU, was the Principal of De Young School, one of the foremost private schools in Ikorodu Division.
He is a chieftain of the iCare Foundation founded by Hon. Babajimi Benson of the House of Representatives. He is highly resourceful and he’s a community developer and the General Secretary of Ikorodu Grammar School Old Students’ Association.
Name of a new Education Officer that will steer the affairs of the Local Government Education Authority in Ikorodu for the next five years is expected to be announced any moment soon with the letter of appointment to be issued by the Ikorodu Local Government after screening by the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB).
The outgone Education Secretary had on Friday handed-over the affairs of the LGEA to the most senior Director to act pending the time the political class in Ikorodu will decide on the issue.
While teachers in Ikorodu is eagerly awaiting the new dawn, they expect the political class ,who will determine who succeeds Lion Oduloye, to consider the interest of the teachers in Ikorodu and the pupils who, according to them, deserve conducive environment to teach and learn, rather than their political interests.
