The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has officially Inaugurated the first Okegun-Odofin Community Junior Secondary School.
This monumental project, generously constructed and donated by Nigerian Breweries Plc under the “One Community At a Time” (OCAAT) initiative, was handed over to the Lagos State Government during a vibrant ceremony on Tuesday in Okegun-Odofin Ajeniya Village, Ibeju-Lekki.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Governor Sanwo-Olu lauded Nigerian Breweries Plc for their invaluable support in advancing the state’s “Education and Technology” pillar of the THEMES Plus Developmental Agenda. He remarked, “Education is central to our administration’s developmental agenda because we recognise that the future of Lagos State is closely linked to the quality of education we provide for our children. It is therefore encouraging to see Nigerian Breweries Plc actively embracing their role as stakeholders in advancing education in our society through the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund.”
The governor emphasized the pivotal role of Public-Private Partnerships in driving developmental progress across Lagos State, highlighting that the establishment of the new school would significantly reduce the need for long commutes, allowing local children to access quality education in a conducive environment.
He praised the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Sherifat Jaji, for her foresight in initiating the OCAAT programme and securing its approval from the State Executive Council.
The OCAAT initiative, according to Governor Sanwo-Olu, is a comprehensive, community-based programme aimed at improving sanitation, health, education, and recreation in underserved communities.
He stressed the importance of community involvement in safeguarding the new school’s infrastructure, stating that its security is a collective responsibility.
Corporate Affairs Director of Nigerian Breweries, Mrs. Shola Morgan, expressed her pride in the company’s ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, which focus on enhancing quality education in Nigeria.
She noted, “We are proud to partner with the Lagos State Government’s OCAAT initiative to create better learning environments for the country’s future leaders.”
Mrs. Folashade Jaji, the former SSG and OCAAT initiator, shared her joy at the school’s completion and extended her gratitude to all stakeholders, including Governor Sanwo-Olu, Nigerian Breweries Plc, and the local community, particularly Baale Okegun-Odofin, Chief Ismaila Ogunkoya, who donated the land for the project.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Tolani Alli-Balogun, assured the community that preparations are well underway to get the school operational, with recruitment for teaching staff from within the community set to begin immediately.
Chief Ismaila Ogunkoya, the Baale of Okegun-Odofin, alongside other community leaders, expressed profound appreciation to the Governor, Mrs. Jaji, and Nigerian Breweries, pledging to take ownership of and protect the new school facility.
The new educational facility boasts six classrooms, a principal’s office, staff rooms, and separate toilet facilities for boys and girls, setting a new standard for educational infrastructure in the region.
The event was graced by notable dignitaries including Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office, Mr. Kehinde Farouk Gbajumo; Permanent Secretary, Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Abayomi Abolaji; Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Engr. Sesan Olowa; traditional rulers, chiefs, and the Education Secretary for the district, marking a significant milestone in the journey towards educational excellence in Lagos State.