MRS. OGUNDIPE MARY OMOLEYE, Principal
Q: What message are you passing to the students and the country in general though this election?
A: The eligible age of voting is Eighteen (18) years and above and most of our students are not up to that age. So, we decided not just to teach them in classes alone but to also practice what they have been taught for better understanding.
Q: How has Lagos State government contributed to the growth of this school so far?
A: The Lagos State government gives the school funds every month, although it might not be enough. We try to be prudent with it by managing it properly. Also, with the Eko project, the government usually asks us to make a budget like school improvement plan, depending on the population and we use this in developing the school.
Q: We learnt you had a security challenge recently. What was the nature of is challenge and what steps have you taken to prevent future occurrence?
A: Immediately the incident happened, I called my TGPS and I took the photograph. I also called the security men and they all claimed to be ignorant of what had happened. I called the Kabiyesi of Imota but unfortunately he was not in town. So, I informed the district officially. However, investigation is still going on.
Q: How cooperative are the people of this town including kabiyesi, the traditional council and community leaders?
A: The entire people of this community and His Highness, Oba Ranodu have been very cooperative with us.
Q: In what area have you excelled in this school?
A: Last session, one of our students went for a competition in Ikorodu zone to represent the school in Mathematics competition and came first in the competition. They also went out for relay competition and came second.
Q: Is the issue of “Let my people go” applicable in your school, where every teacher endeavours to pass everybody?
A: For now, we have not heard about it and we have the promotion criteria that any student without fifty percent (50%) in English and Mathematics cannot be promoted.
MRS OGUNJIRE ADENIKE WURAOLA, Chief Electoral Officer interview with Oriwu Sun:
Q: We got information that this election is likely going to be rigged. What’s your reaction?
A: I believe the election would be free and fair. It is just to allow the students interact among themselves. There won’t be any violence.
Q: There is an allegation that the liberation party has compromised the INEC Commissioner. How true is this?
A: That is not true at all. This is happening because she is popular among the students.
Q: What message are you relaying to the nation from the election you are conducting and leadership by example shown here?
A: We are trying to let them know that the country is practicing democracy where everyone should have a say and that the country could only move forward through free and fair election.
Q: With the lessons you have given them, would they be able to conduct a free and fair election?
A: I believe the students have been able to understand that we are all one and we should be united.
MRS. OREDOYE, Electoral Officer:
Q: We learnt that the students and the electorates are through with the accreditation?
A: The great mind is for Sekinat while the liberation party is for Enitoluwafe and the scholarstic is for Abdulahi. And the last is Role Model by Chigozie.
Q: Do we have the party agents here and do you have any challenges?
A: Not at all. There has not been any challenge so far. You can see the party agents are here.
MRS. ADEDOYIN OKUDAYE, English Teacher (HOD):
I watch on Television what reporters do, moving around and giving us updates on news and I could recollect what happened during the presidential election in the country. This election process is exposing our children to the proper way elections should be conducted.
Students relate with their parents at home and so, they will educate them and the society on how to conduct free and fair election. There has also been an electoral education whereby the teachers, the returning officers and those monitoring the boxes are educated not to be partisan.
We have party agents in each of the wards, we have our constituency also monitoring the election and I believe we are going to have a free and fair election.
ABDUL KAZEEM HAKEEM OLARENWAJU, Election Coordinator:
The program is departmental and is showcased by civic education. The idea of having this proper election is part of what the student has been learning in the theoretical aspect of it. First, we had our primary elections and the students decided on who should emerge.
Then, we went ahead to consider the geo-political zones in Nigeria. We have six geo-political zones but because of where we are, there are few numbers of Northerners so we could not have the three geo-political zones that make up the area and we merged them together to become one.
But others from the Western part were all represented. The candidate that ran under great mind came from South South (Edo State). The candidate that contested under South-West came from Ondo state and the candidate that contested under South – East came from Anambra state while the candidate that ran under the North came from Kwara state. That was how it all started and we are having the presidential election today. We could see that everything is in order and we have made the students to understand the election system.
DAVID AKALA, Vice Principal, Administration:
The future of Nigeria begins with our little children. Even great democracies like America and France started somewhere. This is to make Nigerians rise up to their duties and the first step is good governance. By starting with the kids, we are teaching them on how Nigeria could have a free and fair election.
MRS. ADA ADICHIE, Vice Principal, Academics:
I am just few months old in this school and I thank God that I am here today. I taught election in my former school as a topic but here we have enlarged the scope and it has given the children the opportunity to know what happens during elections. It is not only about the theoretical but the practical aspect of it. I believe that if the students are asked any questions on election, they would be able to answer properly.
We are pace-setters, pathfinders and we believe others have seen what we have done and should learn from it.
ADDRESS/OPINION OF CHUMA ADICHIE, Deputy Editor-in-chief, Oriwu Sun, Concerning the election that took place:
Every Nigerian adult who had witnessed the horrible elections that took place in the country in the past and has the rare privilege of witnessing how to produce credible leadership as demonstrated by these children today, should be ashamed of himself. I refer mostly to the old school, who have failed this country in our past elections.
I want to commend the children, teachers and organizers of this programme. Through the media and other communication channels, we are going to spread what we saw today to the world. It is a model that should be replicated in other institutions. What you have demonstrated is true practice of democracy. We are proud of all of you wo participated in this process. It was very transparent and I also commend the school authority including principal, staff and election officers.