Kunle Adelabu
-Honour Ranodu, oldest PhD holder
The Inner Wheel District 912 Nigeria, concluded the commemoration of the 101 anniversary of its international body with the remarkable donation of a fully rehabilitated and well – equipped library to St. John’s Anglican Primary School, Imota, to support educational development in Imota Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria.
At the formal commissioning and handing over of the educational facilities which took place at the school premises on Thursday, the Ranodu of Imota, Oba (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajibade Agoro, FCA and a community developer and oldest PhD holder, Rev. Col. (Rtd) Dr. Bolaji Titilola Onafowokan, were honoured with the Outstanding Leadership and Excellent Impact Awards respectively.
This year’s anniversary celebration is themed, “Heartbeat of Humanity’.
The all- women humanitarian organisation consisting of wives, daughters, sisters and friends of Rotary, was founded by MARGARETTE OLIVER GOLDING in 1924 in Manchester United Kingdom and in 107 countries of the world to help the less privileged.
Aside the full rehabilitation of the building, four large bookshelves, variety of books, two laptops to enable access to e-books online and three ceiling fans for added comfort were facilities provided in the library.
Inner Wheel also provided school uniforms for 10 indigent pupils who previously wore tattered uniforms and about 10 additional students were also picked during the commissioning to be provided with uniforms.
IWM Abiola Aberuagba, District Chairman, Inner Wheel District 912, Nigeria, speaking expressed her happiness at the donation which she said was meant to improve education in her former primary school and home town.
Recalling the impacts of the school on her, and how the project was initiated, IWM Aberuagba said:
“This school broadened my horizon and I made up my mind that whenever I have the opportunity, I would also give back to the school and that is why we have come here today.
“It was during the anniversary of the school that I asked the Head Teacher what she wanted me to do for the school and she requested for a library and I assured her that we would donate the library before the end of my tenure as the District Chairman”.
She narrated further, “To achieve this, she donated class in this building to us with the approval of Mr Amusa, the Education Secretary and we came here with the knowledge of the whole community.
“Today, by the grace of God, we would be handing over the library that has been well furnished.
“The renovation project included replacement of the roof and ceiling, installation of new doors and windows, floor tiling and provision of brand-new furniture, including seating for 24 students and a librarian’s desk”, she said.
“In addition to the full rehabilitation of the building, the library was equipped with four large bookshelves, a variety of storybooks and textbooks, notebooks and biros, two laptops for accessing e-books online, and three ceiling fans for added comfort.”
In their joint speech, PDC Sumbo Osunbajo, and DT Charlotte Solano, Chairman and Co – Chairman, Planning Committee , Inner Wheel District 912 Nigeria, said that the 10th day in January of every year is set aside to commemorate and celebrate Inner Wheel Day worldwide.
They said that for this year, the all – women humanitarian organization commenced its celebrations on January 10, 2025, by honoring the first and second babies of the day at Island Maternity where gifts and cash donations were presented to their mothers and children. It was also added that the organization also distributed food palliatives to over 400 indigent individuals in Ajegunle, Ifelodun Local Council Development Area.
According them, the celebrations concluded with the donation of a library and other educational facilities, marking the final phase of the initiative.
The co – chairmen described the District Chairman as amiable, hardworking and service oriented and proud daughter of Imota.
HRM (Dr.) Oba Mudashiru Ajibade Bakare-Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota was presented with the Outstanding Leadership Award in recognition of his exceptional accomplishments, being honoured with a Honorary Doctorate by CALEB University, which the Inner Wheel described as a testament to his leadership, unwavering dedication, perseverance, and passion for learning.
Rev. Col. (Rtd) Dr. Bolaji Titilola Onafowokan, was recognized for his extraordinary accomplishment – earning a Ph.D. at the remarkable age of 85! According to the Inner Wheel, his unwavering dedication, perseverance, and passion for learning are truly inspiring, embodying the spirit of lifelong achievement.
The Chairman, Imota LCDA, Hon. Wasiu Agoro, commended the group for their continuous interventions in community and educational development.
While stating that government alone cannot do it all, the council boss also added that the Inner Wheel intervention would go a long way in complementing the efforts of the government in providing quality education for the residents
“This is really heartwarming and I am really pleased to be here to celebrate with the Inner Wheel,” Hon. Agoro said.
In his royal remarks, Oba Agoro said that 2025 has been a year of celebration for him and Imota, he commended the club for its gesture and support for the development of education.
“The Federal Republic of Nigeria, on January 5, honoured me with Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR) and on the 10th, I was honoured with a doctoral degree
“I am a chartered accountant and I have been using my resources to develop Imota which I met as four old quarters in 1993. Today, I am 32 years on the throne and in a space of 30 years, I turned the Kingdom into 23 quarters.
“Today, I am happy that our daughter (District Chairman, Abiola Aberuagaba) is bringing further development to Imota. Her late father’s building then used to be what people used in describing Imota then, because his big building was on the expressway.
“This man was a contractor and he installed the electrical lightening on the Carter Bridge, Lagos during the Nigerian Independence celebration and was the first to light the bridge.
“I am always happy whenever I see her, and bringing you to donate this is her way of remembering her own root and that gladdens my heart. It is the reason why I am honouring her request,” the Ranodu of Imota said.
The Education Secretary, Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Ikorodu LG, Mr Afolabi Amusa, commended the group for the donation of the library and educational materials to the students.
Some of the other prominent members of the Inner Wheel at the ceremony were IPNR Zainab Ikheloa, PDC. Wemimo Olasanya, ISO. Adeyinka Ettu, Charter Presidents, Club Presidents, Inner Wheel and also guests.
