Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
Alumnus of the premier college in Ikorodu Division – Oriwu College, are not in any way relenting on their support for their old school, as a chieftain of the school’s students’ association, Alhaji Misbau M. Bolarinwa, donated a hostel to his alma mater.
The 200 – bed space girls’ hostel was commissioned by the Honourable Commissioner for Basic & Secondary Education, Lagos State, Hon. Jamiu Tolani Alli – Balogun.
The donor, Alhaji Bolarinwa, said that the gesture, which he described as small, is to challenge others to give back to the school.
“The small thing we are doing today is to challenge ourselves. I know people that are multi – billionaires that were produced by Oriwu College, but they don’t come forth to do anything. That is why I challenged myself to start with this so that they too will be challenged and they will do better.
“We are coming back next year and when we come, we want to commission another.
“Remove this money from it is kept, because nobody has died and go away with the money. With the little that God has done for you, don’t forget your alma mater.
“At least, you have learnt small thing in this school if not much. Whatever that you are today; the CV that put you where you are today belong to Oriwu College. If you don’t go Oriwu College in those days, people will query you if you ever go to any secondary school at all. For that honour that you must put Oriwu College in CV and good image, you must continue to remember and do something for Oriwu College”, he said.
Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Jamiu Ali -Balogun, said that education can only develop when stakeholders collaborate and partner with the government.
“It is not about speech making today, but a recognition of a man of courage; a man with big heart and a man who is so much dispassionate about humanity.
“The issue of education in the global governance today is about collaborative effort. It is about partnership. It is about all stakeholders coming together to play their own role. The government is there on one hand, philanthropists are also there on their own, the rich individuals among us are also there to support and the international donors too.
“When he called me that he wanted to embark on the project and asked me about the process that must be followed, I just told him not to worry about the process and that I will fast track it so that you can start the project on time and behold (he has completed it).
“He started it this year and to God be the glory, he has been able to actualize his dream”, he said.
The Honourable Commissioner also said that the government is playing its role in providing quality education and providing enabling environment for students and staff.
“On the part of the government, we are doing are bit. The government has contributed so much to education and technology in Lagos State, and we really care about our students. We care about our teachers and we care about the future of our children and youths.
“But it is not always enough, and that is why we always appreciate those that are more or less our friends that have the same mission and the same drive towards education in Lagos State. I thank you, Alhaji Bolarinwa, for been a brother and for taking that lead and courage to donate this hostel not only to Oriwu College, but to Lagos State Basic and Secondary Education. Thank you very much”, he said.
Alli – Balogun, who commended the role of old students’ association to educational development, also assured that the facility provided will be put into good use.
“Equally, I want to thank all the students’ associations, and I will always acknowledge your contributions ,your concerns, your observations, and your questions on issues relating to education in Lagos state. I also want to thank you, our esteem teachers who are mothers and the same time fathers to our students. I pray that the God Almighty will reward you more than what you expected.
“Who will be in charge of the project? Who will be in charge of the maintenance and do the needful so that the purpose it was built for is served. I want to call on the principals to ensure that due diligence are entrenched when we are posting people to handle the hostel.
“Whatever that is needed to make it functional, please, don’t hesitate to write formally to the office of the Honourable Commissioner Basic and Secondary Education, Lagos State”, he charged.
Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, MON, OON, the apex chieftain, Governance Advisory Council (GAC), was delightful to be part of the commissioning which he said was for the development of education.
While thanking Alhaji Bolarinwa for his gesture in supporting his alma mater and developing education, Prince Olusi, who also narrated his life story and how his mother convinced him to go to school, also emphasized the importance of education.
“Later, it was possible to calm me down and ensure that I have the necessary education which is useful for me today as a person.
“So, therefore, any contribution to the development of education, however little, it is essential and we must, therefore, praise whoever is the donor.
“This is a good example to the younger generation who are the students today, who are seeing the examples that is being set by a former student of this college who is coming back to his source to make necessary contribution. Any man that does not forget his source will never lack.
“It is necessary that the source must be protected, furnished or even replenish and so, therefore, today’s event is a very important one and God will continue to replenish the purse of our brother, Alhaji Bolarinwa.
A member of the Board of Trustees (BOT), Oriwu College Old Students’ Association (OCOSAN), Alhaja Kudirat Lamina, on behalf of the board and entire members of OCOSAN, thanked the donor and also the management, staff and students of Oriwu College for sustaining the excellence and glory of the school.
She assured the staff and students of Oriwu College that the old students will continue to support them.
Chief Imam, Oriwu Central Mosque, Sheikh Yahyah Osoala Asamadani, described Alhaji Bolarinwa’s gesture as highly laudable, while Reverend John Olanrewaju Shonubi of the Patriarch Bolaji Methodist Cathedral, Ita – Elewa, Ikorodu, said that it is a service to God and humanity.
Some of the students of Oriwu College that also spoke with our reporter, also commended the gesture by the former student of the school, adding that the hostel is more spacious and convenient.
After the commissioning, the Commissioner led guests, staff of the school and students on tour of the new hostel facility.
Other dignitaries at the commissioning were Hon. Moyosore Ogunlewe, Chairman, Kosofe LG, Bashorun Babatunde Rotinwa, former Head of Service, Lagos State, Engr. Charles Longe, former National President, Oriwu Collee Old Students’ Association of Nigeria (OCOSAN) and Alhaji M.B.S. Arole, President, OCOSAN among others.
