The District Governor, Rotary International, District 9110 Nigeria, Kola Sodipo has partnered all Rotary Clubs in Abeokuta as they renovate St John’s Anglican Primary School, Kuto in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
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"The rent we pay for the free air we breathe is to give back to the society, either in terms of money or any other form of support", District Governor Sodipo
The clubs; Roary Clubs of Abeokuta; Oke Ona Egba; Abeokuta Metropolitan; Obantoko; and Elega, all partnered with their umbrella body, District 9110 in the just completed renovation of 2 blocks of 6 classrooms in the school. The club also erected a new block of four toilets with water borehole facility in the school.
The Project Chairman, Rotarian Segun Kuyoro, during the commissioning ceremony of the renovated facilities on Thursday, May 23, 2019, disclosed that although the District Governor is an old student of the school, he didn’t specifically chose the school when he noted his intention to extend his school upgrade projects to Abeokuta.
Kuyoro revealed that the DG gave the clubs the liberty to make that choice and the clubs, after much deliberations, selected the school.
DG Sodipo, while delivering his address at the commissioning ceremony stated, “We have been able to renovate 6 classrooms, water, and 6 toilets where the call of nature will be answered.”
“I always say that the rent we pay for the free air we breathe is to give back to the society, either in terms of money or any other form of support. Let us always remember to do good because the good we do comes back to us”, he added.
The Head Teacher of the school, Oyenuga M. O, noted that Rotarians had previously donated school uniforms, sandals, and bags for the needy children. “Today’s grand event is a clear testimony that Rotarian Kola Sodipo has used his good offices as the District Governor to give back to his Alma Mater where he first began his literacy and numeracy education.”
Oyenuga who noted that “the burden of education is too much for the government alone”, implored other philanthropic organizations to “copy Rotary Club, District 9110 in supporting education and partner with the government in order to move our nation forward educationally”.
The Education Secretary, Dr. Mrs Balogun who was also present at the commissioning ceremony, expressed her gratitude at the gesture by the club which according to her, is pertinent especially at this crucial time when education is very important in our society.
“Permit me to applaud the Rotary Club for their contribution towards education in Ogun state. This is not their first time of contributing towards the development of education in Ogun state and Nigeria in general. What you have done in our local government shows that you want every child here to actively participate in education, and perform better academically”, Dr. Balogun stated.
The Secretary, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr. Wasiu Kuye also expressed his gratitude to the club saying, “Provision of basic amenities in the public sector is no doubt, no doubt, an investment in the future. You will agree with me that Rotary Club is known for their various investments in the education sector of the state.”
Kuye charged all management, staff and students of the school to put the facilities into good use and make the project worthwhile.
In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Aikulola Olu. Ola, describes Rotary Club as a charitable organization that is known for humanitarian services, adding that since the existence of the club in Nigeria, it has not reneged it its effort to ensure that every area of national life is impacted.
“This is the reason the club has earned both national and international recognition and we are proud to be associated with a body of international repute”, he added.
