This speech in order to display my wealth or to tell you I did what no one else has ever done or could do. Rather, I stand as someone, who saw a need in his environment and decided to meet that need to benefit the community. My organization, Oriwu Sun, recognized the need to come to the help of this school as well as the need to support the efforts of our State Government.
Through the collective efforts of my hardworking, loyal and trustworthy staff, we decided to plough back to the society, part of the proceeds of the patronage, which the State Government and its agencies and other groups give to us in the form of advertisements. Hence, we approved the construction of a modern block of three standard classrooms, with offices and toilet facilities in this Estate Primary School. It is our belief that the wealthy men and women in our society as well as the highly placed ones in the political, social and economic sectors, would replicate this by investing in the infrastructural development of our constituency and not leave everything or look up to government for every developmental project.
Some of my friends and associates within and outside the country may ask why it is under Governor Ambode’s administration that Oriwu Sun is playing such a supportive role after thirty two (32) years of its existence. Does it mean that we did not appreciate previous Governors of this State to key into their efforts? The truth is that I was never as close to Ambode’s predecessors before they became Governors or Administrators of the state. In the case of Ambode, I had known him down to his entire family for twenty (20) years before he became the Governor.
Since I cannot give Ambode money, I decided to support his government’s efforts by sowing back part of the proceeds from his administration’s advert support to our paper, Oriwu Sun. Just as Lagosians have been voluntarily paying taxes in appreciation of his good governance, so is Oriwu Sun’s decision to help in the education sector in support of Ambode’s administration.
I give kudos to the former Headmistress of this Estate Pry School, Deaconess Florence Oluyinka Bolarinwa, who with her staff started seeking for help when the situation in their school became unbearable. The alarm they raised led to the intervention of Oriwu Sun and also compelled me to bring their plight to the notice of Governor Ambode, who promised help from the State Government. Today, we can see, in addition to our donation, an ongoing project of a beautiful block of fourteen (14) classrooms by Ambode’s government in this school. Who will not support a Governor, who identifies needs and fulfils promises? I thank Ambode for bringing the dividends of democracy to this Primary School.
I also appreciate my good friend, Dr. Ganiu Sopeyin, Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and his fellow Board members for their support to Oriwu Sun. It was during their tenure that our publication ever got an advert support. We are glad to reciprocate to their educational programs through this donation we have made to Estate Primary School.
To the pupils of this school that is now in the limelight, I urge you all to keep your heads high and never feel inferior nor lose focus. Remember that your primary goal now is to acquire good education. Know that most of the leaders of this country come from poor homes but became great because of the education they got. No matter how rich you become in life, if it is not backed with education, you will look inferior to others.
I congratulate the teachers, staff and parents in this school for their labour on these children. May the Almighty Allah continue to provide for you, to strengthen you and to enable you reap the fruits of your toil on these pupils.
I thank my wife for her support. Each time I raise the issue of philanthropy, whether in the religious, social or educational sector, she always gives me moral and spiritual backing.
I also thank my entire Olowosago family members for standing by me anytime I have a worthy vision or dream. Same goes for my friends and associates for their solidarity. I promise Ikorodu people that I will not cease to contribute my quota, within the limits of my resources, anytime the needs arise. I believe that what we have done here will encourage more involvement of our people in giving back to the society.
Once more, I sincerely thank Governor Ambode, represented here today by His Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr. Kehinde Joseph, for his steadfast encouragements to us. I thank the people of this community, the Parents, Teachers Association and all stakeholders in the education sector in this environment for the opportunity given to Oriwu Sun to support the work of training our children. We will not relent to do more in the coming years by God’s grace.
Thank you and God bless us all.