Kunle Adelabu
-Chairman, guests eulogise academic performance
Master Omirin Opeyemi Samuel, student of Zumratul Islammiyah Senior Secondary School, Igbogbo, and winner of the maiden edition of the Igbogbopedia, an educational competition, will any moment from now jets out to South Africa on educational tour, courtesy of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA.
The council chairman, Builder Sesan Daini announced the awesome package while presenting the winning prize to the lucky winner.
Also, the Chairman of 2021 Igbogbo Day Planning Committee and Proprietor, Andus D Great Schools, Mr Nosiru Titilola Balogun, pledged $500 support fund for the trip.
The educational competition was organised by the Youth and Education Sub – Committee of the 33rd Igbogbo Day in commemoration of this year’s edition of the annual celebration and was held at the Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA Secretariat hall, Igbogbo, on Monday, November 22, 2021.
The exciting and educative competition, which featured issues about Igbogbo, Yoruba and English Debates, Mathematics contest and Science exhibitions among Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary Schools in Igbogbo, was sponsored by Pa Olatunji Odusanya, mni, and Builder Sesan Daini.
Speaking at the event, the Council boss said that he supported the educational event to further promote development in the education sector and encourage young people to learn more.
He charged that there is need to change the narratives where people are being celebrated in other endeavours but not in academics.
“This is the first of this kind of educational competition designed to promote academic exercise and that is why I am in full support of it.
“I am 100% committed to this programme because our focus as a council is to ensure that we develop our education and encourage our students.
“Through this, we are celebrating academic success and promoting serious studies among our children.
“I will make this an annual event and will continue to support it while I am in office and even after I might have left office”.
While presenting prizes to the winner of the Igbogbopedia and others in other categories, the council Chairman said:
“I will sponsor the winner on an educational trip to South Africa. He will have the opportunity to visit schools and other places and interact with others over there.
“I will also ensure that I stay at least a day with him in South Africa,.
“I am sure that when you (the winner) return as an ambassador, you will influence other youths to read more and excel in their education”.
Builder Daini, who said that Igbogbo is promoting peaceful co – existence among other tribes and residents, also charged people promoting disunity in the country to desist from such, adding that the country is one indivisible entity.
He also commended the Igbogbo planning committee for the initiative.
The Chairman of the Youth and Education Sub – Committee of the 2021 Igbogbo Day, Mr Gbenga Odunniyi, speaking with THE IMPACT, said that the whole idea about the programme is to educate the youths in the community with the assistance of stakeholders.
“It’s all about educating the youths and entrenching the culture of reading with the aim of promiting academic excellence. In doing this, we involved stakeholders in the community to ensure that the programme is well packaged.
“We had competitions like the Igbogbopedia which is all about test of knowledge in English Language, Mathematics and Current Affairs which deal with questions regarding activities in Igbogbo Kingdom.
“There was also the Yoruba debate to encourage our young ones to speak Yoruba which is gradually going into extinction. Foreign language is being used as the official language of communication in our country and schools while our own language is termed ‘vernacular’, which is wrong.
“We also had English, Yoruba and Mathematics debate for Junior and Senior Secondary Schools and Primary Schools”.
While thanking some eminent persons and groups for their support, he also added that the the competition was an occasion to celebrate ingenuity of Igbogbo students.
“It was an occasion to celebrate greatness and excellence. You saw the keen competition among the competing schools”, he said.
“We thank Builder Olusesan Mayoku Daini, the Executive Chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA and Pa Olatunji Odusanya,mni, who has been sponsoring educational programmes since the beginning of Igbogbo Day Celebration. The man is close to 80 years and you can imagine such a man still interested in the development of our youths which means that he has our interest at heart.
“Our panelists this year were wonderful. They were given to us by the Executive Secretary, Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Mr Afolabi Amusa and Commissioner 3, TESCOM, Mr Adeleke Kara, both of whom were here with us.
“We also had representatives from Education District II and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Ikorodu branch.
“We also had support from the Mathematics Teachers Association of Nigeria, English Language Teachers Association of Nigeria whose representatives were also part of the panelists. They all gave us maximum support.
“We set out for academic excellence and we did everything to achieve that because we must be part of the development of our children and youths. It is our responsibilities to create an enabling environment for them and support their educational growth.
“I want to appreciate His Royal Majesty, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, for this total support and efforts in the development of Igbogbo in all respects. I also want to thank the Chairman of the Igbogbo Day Planning Committee, Mr Nosiru Titilola Balogun for his efforts.
“Big thanks to Hon. Basairat Banjoke, Alhaji Ganiu Olubodun and Alhaji Sulaimon Ayokunle for sponsoring cash prizes for various categories of the competition and others that supported us”, Odunniyi said.
Hon. Basirat Banjoko sponsored the winner of the Science Exhibition with N50, 000 while Alhaji Ganiu Olubodun and Alhaji Sulaimon Ayomikun sponsored cash prizes of N30, 000 and N20, 000 for the 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
Mr Adeleke Kara, Commissioner 3, TESCOM, supported winners in Yoruba debate in Senior and Junior categories with N5000 each.
The winner of the Igbogbopedia in the senior school category, Master Samuel, speaking with THE IMPACT, said he was happy and fulfilled, adding that the victory is also a challenge for him to do more.
“I feel very happy and gradually getting fulfilled”, he said.
“To me, this is just the beginning of the celebration of the success. It is also a challenge for me to do more; to learn more so that I can attain greater height.
Reacting to the announcement of his all expenses paid educational trip to South Africa as the winner of the maidenedition of Igbogbopedia, Master Samuel said that he is looking forward to it and that the trip will afford him the opportunity to learn more.
“I am looking forward to the trip and l hank the Chairman for the honour. Since it is going to be an educational one, it would afford me the opportunity to learn more; explore and gain more experience”, he said.
He charged youths like him to learn more and give their total commitment and dedication to their education and other endeavours if they are to succeed.
According to results announced by the organisers of the competitions, the first three positions in each categories are as follow:
Igbogbogbopedia Primary School Category
Kith & Kin Private School, Ibeshe – First position.
Methodist Primary School, Elepe – Second position.
Goldline Nursery & Primary School, Igbogbo – Third position.
English Debate Junior School Category
Elepe Community Primary School – First position.
Reri Community Primary School – Second position.
Zumratul Islammiyah Secondary School – Third position.
Yoruba Debate Junior School Category
Kith & Kin Private School – First position.
Andus D Great School – Second position.
HOMAT Comprehensive College, Igbogbo – Third position.
Yoruba Debate Senior School Category
Andus D Great School, Igbogbo – First position.
Queen Betty College, Igbogbo -Second position.
Community Senior Grammar School, Igbogbo -Third position.
Science Exhibition Senior School
Lagos State Civil Service Senior Model College, Igbogbo -First position.
Andus D Great School, Igbogbo -Second position.
Reri Community Grammar School Reri -Third position.
Igbogbopedia Senior Category
Master Omirin Opeyemi Samuel, Zumratul Islammiyah Senior Secondary School-First position.
Ojekere Samuel, Hebron Height Colege, Igbogbo -Second position.
Igwe Dennis, Oreyo Senior Grammar School, Igbogbo –Third position.
