Kunle Adelabu
Dr Fatai Oriyomi Asodun, of the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, has called on the entire Ikorodu Division and the Lagos State Government to grant necessary support and recognition to the Ijede Development Foundation (IDF) in its quest to develop the students that would impact on the community tomorrow.
He said that the growth and development of Ijede is practically the advancement of Ikorodu Division and Lagos State in general.
The University,don, who was the guest lecturer at the 7th Scholarship Award, Quiz/Debate & Public Lecture and Launching of Library & Computer Training Centre, held at the TBT Event Centre, Ijede, on Saturday, October 22, 2022, is currently the Examination Officer of the Faculty of Arts, the Coordinator of Philosophy and Logic General Course Study Programme of the University, and member of the University of Lagos Examination Committee. He spoke with THE IMPACT, after the event.
At the moment, Asodun is teaching and researching in the areas of Logic, Philosophy of Technology and Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence.
“IDF efforts should go beyond Ijede’s recognition. The efforts in trying to groom children who are regarded as youths of today, grooming them up so that by tomorrow, they will become great personalities to develop communities”, the University don said in an interview with our reporter.
“This is not something that only Ijede should celebrate, it’s something that Ikorodu Division as a political unit, should celebrate because the growth of Ijede would also mean the growth of Ikorodu Division as a whole.
“They have been giving these awards (scholarship) for years, but we only see that it’s more or less been celebrated by the Ijede people. This should go beyond our shore, so that people can really understand what IDF is doing.
“This is not just about Ikorodu Division, we are talking about the Lagos State Government. I think that IDF should reach out not just to Ikorodu Division as a whole, but the entire Lagos State. This is what the State Commissioner for Education should be fully involved in.
“This is a group trying to do what is expected of the Commissioner and the state government”, he said.
He also commended the social and economic group for its engagement of the secondary school students in Ijede in quiz and debates which are part of the IDF’s annual programmes.
“IDF did greatly. We have prizes for those who debate and for students who engaged in quiz. There were happiness on the faces of the students and teachers who are also given presents. It was a kind of win – win for all”, Dr Asodun said.
“I pray that IDF would continue to wax stronger in this move and other organisations in this community and Ikorodu environs at large would join in this move, so that our students would benefit and they would be better for it tomorrow”.
The UNILAG don, who is from Ijede and has attended many conferences and published widely in his research area, said that the community is ready to take its pride of place anytime soon among others in term of education, development and other areas with what he has seen.
“Ten years ago, I may not be able to answer this question, but with what I have seen today, there is great hope. Seeing students from Ijede performing this well gives me joy and I have the IDF to thank for that. Seeing them showcasing their brilliance, gave me thought that if I had had the opportunity 40 years, I will not just be a top scholar, but know what l will be today”, he said.
“I can see that there is going to be great future for these children, Ijede and entire Ikorodu Division. I consider this as planting. You see when the farmer is planting, he would not expect what he’s going to reap. By the time he start reaping what he had planted like the IDF; what he’s still going to plant and what has always be planted by the IDF in the past and the group will still plant tomorrow, Ijede would be a great community to be reckoned with in term of education, knowledge and achievements. You can quote me for that”, Dr Asodun said.
Dr Asodun, as graduate Of the UNILAG, had served on three different occasions as Assistant Secretary General of UNILAG Alumni Association. He was a member of the Alumni executive that brought tremendous development to the University of Lagos.
