Kunle Adelabu
-Wants Hon. Benson to facilitate school buildings
The executive members of the Lajo Community Development Association (CDA), on behalf of the generality of residents in the community located in the riverine area of Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, has appealed to the State Government for the provision of block of classrooms for the junior and senior secondary schools in the community.
They also appealed for the fencing of the primary and secondary schools’ premises to guide against unwanted intrusion and disruption of academic activities which the community has been battling with.
Lajo community started its primary school in 2014, junior secondary in 2016 and the senior secondary in 2019, while approval was obtained for both primary and junior secondary schools.
The primary school project was funded by funds generated and sourced by the community CDA while there were interventions later by the former Head of Service (HoS) in the State, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA and Lagos State Government.
It was also gathered that the first head teacher of the school, who is now retired, Mrs Bisi Mustapha Bello, also played prominent and supportive roles alongside the CDA to ensure that the school takes off smoothly.
However, the school is currently without a fence while the community is still calling on the government to make it more conducive for learning.
The foundation for the junior secondary school, which was also started through community effort in 2016, was laid by the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, and the representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon. Babajimi Benson who also made generous donations towards the project.
Presently, the two structures that are accommodating the students and which the community described as unconducive for learn, are just like the Jakande structure built in the 80s.
The school, like the primary section, is also without any fence and this allows motorists and pedestrians to pass through the school premises unrestrained, a situation which the CDA executives deplore.
Also, due to lack of accommodation, the community rented an apartment to accommodate the senior secondary section while they await both the State and Local governments to provide befitting structure for the section.
The community is also seeking government’s intervention on the deplorable state of the two roads ( Offin/Lajo and Lajo/Olu-Odo roads) leading into the community.
While the Offin/Lajo road has been in existence for many years and is being maintained by the community, the Lajo/Olu – Odo road was created by the community a few years back.
The residents, in their efforts to find shorter route out of the Lajo community and an alternative way for residents going to Lagos and to avoid traditionalists during traditional festivals that usually prevent women folks from going out twice a year, embarked on the clearing and filling of the swamping area that links the Lajo community into Olu – Odo, to enable residents connect Ipakodo, lkorodu and other areas easily without having to pass through Igbogbo township.
Speaking with the Chairman, Lajo CDA, Mr Benson Sunday Fasanmi, he commended the government’s effort so far but appealed for quick intervention in providing prototype buildings for the senior and junior senior secondary schools.
“The community started both the primary and secondary schools with our own money before the government gave us approval”, he said.
“We are hoping that the government will come to our aid and erect prototype buildings to accommodate both senior and junior schools.
“We thank the government for what they have done so far, but we still need their attention in this community”.
Elder Benson also stated that the two roads that lead in and out of the community are currently impassable and appealed to the government to assist in making the roads motorable and stop their usual collapse during the rainy season which usual prevent students and workers from going out.
“The community doesn’t have any road. We usually hire canoes to go out or come into our community. We have two roads but none is passable during the rainy season”, the CDA Chairman lamented.
“Students also find it difficult to go to schools during the rainy season, likewise the workers, because it is always difficult to move in and out of the community. That is why we are appealing to the government to help us put the roads in good shape and we are going to continue to pay our taxes to encourage the government to help us”, he appealed.
Comrade Ayo Ajayi, Lajo CDA Secretary and the Coordinator of the Lajo School Management Committee, called on the representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon. Babajimi Benson, to come to the aid of the community by facilitating a block of classrooms for the community ‘s junior and secondary schools.
“Hon. Babajimi Benson was here when we laid the foundation of the junior school in 2016 and made generous donations but we need his intervention more now.
“We understand that he’s facilitating schools across the Ikorodu Federal Constituency and we want him to include Lajo among the communities that will benefit from his gestures.
“The school that he launched in 2016 is now in need of his assistance more than before. We want him to play a more prominent role in making sure that our students are properly housed in the school”, the retired Deputy Director appealed.
Mr Baoku Kabir, the Social Secretary, Lajo CDA, while thanking the state government and the Councilor representing Lajo community in the Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA Legislative arm for the expansion of the Lajo PHC, also called on the government to assist the community in erecting fence round the schools.
“We will continue to appreciate the Lagos State Government and the Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA for this project, especially Hon. Lekan Ashafa.
“We still want him (Hon. Ashafa) to do more for us in the community because we are still in need of many things, particularly the fencing of our primary school which is currently without fence. The lack of fence is responsible for the disturbance of educational activities in the school by hoodlums”, he said.
“We want the government to help us erect a fence to safeguard lives and properties in the school.
“Our Junior Secondary School has been approved by the government and will need a building to accommodate our students as well as the fencing of the school site.
“Aside Lajo, about eight other communities are making use of both Lajo primary and secondary schools.
“We want the government to intervene by building a prototype building on our secondary school site”, Mr Baoku appealed.
