Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-12 best teachers honoured
The Yewa Grammar School, Ikorodu and Ikorodu Junior Grammar School, emerged winners of the maiden edition of the Ikorodu – Oga Development Association’s (IKODASS) maiden Children’s Day Celebration.
The exciting and fun – filled event, which was held at the open – ground of the Ikorodu Ultra – Modern Town Hall, Ikorodu, was tagged, ‘Olori Kudirat Abosede Shotobi Children’s Fiesta’, on Saturday, May 27, 2023.
While Yewa Grammar School emerged winner in the Match Past, Ikorodu Junior Grammar School emerged champion in the Choreography.
Methodist Primary School, Oke – Eletu, and Uncle Bayus School came second and third respectively, in the Match Past, while second and third positions for the Choreography went to United Junior High School and Maya Community Junior Grammar School.
At the Children’s Day Celebration, six outstanding teachers each in junior and senior secondary schools, were presented with cheques. The six best teachers in the senior school category are: Oyewole Seyi (English Language), Community Senior Secondary School, Bayeku; Olarenwaju Abiodun Christian (Mathematics), Lagos State Civil Service Senior Model College; Ajulo Sunkanmi (Physics), Community Senior Secondary School, Bayeku, Adefusi Christiana Ngochi (Chemistry), Oreyo Senior Grammar School; Adeyemi Roseline Modupe (Biology), Government Senior Model College and Magbagbeolu Victoria (Yoruba Language), Community Senior Secondary School, Bayeku.
The best three schools in the two competition categories went home with different gift items, while individual students that attended the grand celebrations also went home with different gift items like branded bags, pen, pencils, assorted drinks, food among others.
Best teachers in junior school category are: Mrs Gbadegesin Busayo (English Language), Government Junior Model College, Mr Azeez Wasiu Olalekan (Mathematics), Agbede Junior Grammar School, Oduwole Florence Yemisi (Basic Science & Technology), Ansar-UD- Deen Junior Grammar School; Mr Sonowo Olusegun Somide (Civil Education), Lagos State Girls Junior Model College, Agunfoye; Mr Sonowo Olusegun Somide (Social Studies), Lagos State Girls Junior Model College, Agunfoye and Miss Tayo Abosede (Yoruba Language), Oriwu Junior Model College, Ikorodu.
Meanwhile, Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman, Ikorodu – Oga Development Association (IKODASS), in his welcome address, thanked Olori Shotobi for making the day possible with her support.
“The reason why we are here today is the queen. She is the one that made it possible for us to gather here today, I salute you, ma. The royal queen of Ikorodu kingdom, made everything you are seeing here today possible and through her, we are celebrating our children today.
“This is not the first time that she is doing it and I can assure you when you come next year, it would be much bigger and better than what we have now. She has assured me and I know she will keep to her words. The children are really happy that you can do this for them. We are really grateful, lkorodu kingdom is really grateful, thank you, ma”.
Erogbogbo, who explained that the Ayangbure of Ikorodu was unable to attend the celebration due to the inauguration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the 16th President of Nigeria, thanked the palace Chiefs, Baales and guests that came to hoonour IKODASS, as well as the hundreds of Ikorodu children.
“And to our beautiful children, you are most welcome, this is your day, it is not our day but your day, and we have come to celebrate you, the royal queen of Ikorodu land has come to celebrate you and our message for you is for you to remain good children, to make your parents proud, to make Ikorodu proud. To all IKODASS executives and members that joined hands together and worked tirelessly to make this event possible, I say thank you to you all”.
The IKODASS Chairman also thanked students from various schools and others that came individually, for defying the heavy downpour to attend the memorable event.
Olori Kudirat Shotobi, who was full of joy for the gathering of hundreds of children and seeing that they were happy, thanked God Almighty and his husband, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, for the support and making the day a success.
“Today is Children’s Day, and I know all the children here are very happy. First of all, we have to thank the Almighty God for making today a special day. The weather is very conducive and I can see that everyone is enjoying themselves. We also have to thank my husband, the King of Ikorodu Kingdom, for his support for all the schools and teachers in Ikorodu Division.
“On his behalf, I want to say a big thank you to all the teachers in Ikorodu Division, for a job well done.
“I also want to give special thanks to IKODASS. They have been wonderful and I can’t believe that they plan this just within two weeks and yet, achieved success. IKODASS has been doing great and they are still going to continue to do more of it. Thank you IKODASS for taking care of the children and the teachers”, Olori Shotobi said.
The Ikorodu queen charged teachers in the public schools to work more in developing school children in Ikorodu.
The Tutor – General/Permanent Secretary, Mrs Anike Adekanye, thanked the Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo led IKODASS administration for the assistance to the teachers and students in Ikorodu.
She described teachers in Ikorodu as the best in the state and the country.
“If we are talking about the best teacher in Nigeria, she is from Ikorodu; best secondary school is in Ikorodu; the best senior secondary school is in Ikorodu, and the best teachers for productivity in the whole Nigeria is in Ikorodu….”, she said.
“I celebrate my teachers, the students and the parents. This is the first of its kind in the three areas we are covering and it shows that IKODASS have come to stay. IKODASS are not particular about themselves at all, but about those people living in the community and that is why Ikorodu will continue to wax stronger. IKODASS doesn’t discriminate, rather, they are taking good care of all the children and God will take care of you too”.
While assuring that the celebration will be a continuous one, the TG/PS also pledged her support to subsequent editions.
