The Salvation Army Primary School at Onisigida Area of Ikorodu, received a facelift by a benevolent Ikorodu bornUK based medical practitioner, Dr. Solebo Oluseyi Solebo, on Monday September 5, 2022.
His Royal Highness, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi and many dignitaries in Ikorodu Division attended the grand commissioning of the school. The donor visited the school months ago after he was directed by the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi to look into what he could do for the pupils. Dr. Solebo who works as a medial expert in the United Kingdom, visited his Ikorodu hometown to celebrate his 70th birthday.
As part of his plans, he visited the palace of the paramount ruler of Ikorodu and offered to present gift to the monarch, but Oba Shotobi, appreciative of the kind gesture, requested that Dr. Solebo visits Salvation Army Primary School lies in dilapidated condition.
Following Oba Shotobi’s advice, Dr. Junaid Solebo took a tour around the school premises and was moved by the sorry state of the place. Though, he didn’t budget for such a huge project, he resolved to do something tangible for the pupils. After consultations with the school head teacher and LASUBEB, Dr. Solebo settled for rehabilitation of a block of four classrooms in the school.
The block of classrooms received overhauling with flooring, new maker boards, ceiling fans, plastic chairs with tables, new doors, windows and painting of the walls in bright colours. This new building has increased the numbers of decent blocks of classrooms in the Salvation Army Primary School, to three. Following the first rehabilitated block by the LASUBEB, and the other one by Asipa Kaoli Olusanya.
Representatives of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB) attended the event alongside family members, friends, club members of the donor and respected men and women in Ikorodu.
Amongst Dr. Solebo’s family members who attended where Col. Babatunde Solebo, his cousin; Mrs. Jimi Odeseye (nee Solebo); Alhaja Latifat Adeke (nee Solebo); Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, friend and club member; Chief Monzor Olowosago, friend and club member; Engr. Rotimi Erogbogbo, IKODAS chairman; Engr. Olayiwola Saka, friend and club member; Chief Adeniyi Banjoko, friend and club member with many unidentified associates.
His Royal Majesty Oba Kabiru Shotobi, attended in company of his chiefs, Baales and palace aides. The venue began to receive vehicles of guests and dignitaries by 11:30 am, while the oba and his entourage arrived 12 noon. Journalists scattered around taking pictures and taking notes while security agents took positions and were on the look out for their bosses. The programme began as soon as the monarch stepped out of his car with the donor. Teachers of the Salvation Army Primary School quickly clustered around the monarch, donor and their guests at the entrance of the newly refurbished block of classrooms. The ribbon and inflated balloons dangled to the light wind wave.
The anchorperson spoke over the public address system as he welcomed the special guests, especially the Ayangbure of Ikorodu. He called on Chief Kaoli Olusanya to lead the opening prayer and that was followed by the national anthem of which the pupils sang heartedly.
Education Secretary of Ikorodu Division, Mr. Afolabi Amusa, who gave the opening speech, thanked Oba Shotobi and Dr. Solebo for their kind gestures towards the public school and recounted that Chief Kaoli Olusanya during his 70th birthday was the first individual who helped renovated a block of classroom for the primary school and now another notable son of the soil is adding more.
After the formalities, Dr. Junaid Oluseyi Solebo was invited to tell the guests why he had embarked on the project of rehabilitating a block of classroom for the pupils. A man of few words, Dr. Solebo was not prepared for any pet speech; yet, had no choice but to say something. The international medical doctor who spoke in British accent, said he was referred by Oba Shotobi to visit the school. “This was after I visited the palace and planned on presenting a gift to his majesty on my 70th birthday commemoration. Instead, the Kabiesi advised that I visit the school and see what I could do for them. When I first came here, it was like having been trapped. I became overwhelmed by emotion when I saw the condition of the school and the faces of the pupils.”
He narrated how he found himself in a dilemma after seeing the poor state of the public primary school and condition of the pupils. He didn’t budget for a big project and never anticipated any huge capital involvement. “When I told the head teacher that I was not sure I can afford this project, she encouraged me with affirmative statement. That was when I became resolved and fully committed,” Dr. Solebo explained.
He also added that the school needs more hands, as the government alone cannot do the massive project. The donor believes that Ikorodu has well-meaning and successful indigenes that should visit schools like this to help improve the facilities for the sake of the pupils.
Following his speech was an interlude by the pupils of Salvation Army School as they were led by their teachers to sing and wish Dr. Junaid Selobo well. They prayed for good health, long life and prosperity for their benefactor.
The anchorman invited president of Oriwu Club for a brief remark, Engineer Kunle Oduborisha, the incumbent president of Oriwu Club, appreciated everyone present at the venue. “When I emerged as the president of Oriwu Club, my first agenda was to identify a public project for the good of the community. I told my group members, “let us identify a school as a project for Oriwu Club and we thought about two huge public projects’. We settled for the Dialysis Centre and decided to build one at the Ikorodu General Hospital. Our decision was informed by the dire need for one of such centres in Ikorodu after we gathered that our people journey to Yaba and other areas for Dialysis treatments.”
He thanked Oba Shotobi who is the Life Patron of Oriwu Club and Sir Soderu, Chairman, Board of Trustee of Oriwu Club, for their efforts in ensuring that schools receive support from the Club and other well-meaning indigenes of Ikorodu.
Following his speech was a note of appreciation by the LASUBEB representative Engineer Banks Morouf who spoke on behalf of the Executive Chairman LASUBEB, Hon. Wahab Alawiye King. Engineer Banks tendered his boss’ unreserved apologies for not being present at the commissioning of the renovated block of classrooms. “ I am standing on behalf of the Executive Chairman Hon. Wahab Alawiye King who is unavoidably absent due to a very important reason. My boss would have been here to witness this event but for the fact that he his appearing before the State Assembly to defend LASUBEB budget.” He thanked the donor and the monarch for their acts of kindness towards the public school and encouraged others to contribute towards the refurbishing and building of public schools.
The head teacher chanted the LASUBEB slogan ‘LASUBEB!’ the teachers and pupils responded in a loud ‘Leave no child behind!’ Engineer Banks charged the school to make good use of the project, “Make the project a source of joy to the donor by maintain the building.” When Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi took over the microphone, he started by singing a gospel song. The audience joined him in singing. “It is another joyful moment for me to witness another special day.” Oba Shotobi said in a happy mood.
The paramount ruler of Ikorodu Division, encouraged people with the resources to support public schools across town, noting that he never met those benevolent individuals who built the primary school he attended but that he always pray for them.
“The donor visited me in the palace and offered to present gift to me in honour of his 70th birthday ceremony, but I told him to visit the Salvation Army Primary School and see what he could do for them. There are many projects in town needing urgent attention and well-meaning sons and daughters of Ikorodu are giving support in many ways they could. The Oriwu Club will soon complete the Dialysis Centre at the Ikorodu General Hospital” and by the grace of God it shall become a reality.” Oba Shotobi said.
Before proceeding to cut the ribbon, the school presented a gift to Dr. Junaid Solebo, a plaque made of glass. It was an Award of Excellence from the management of the school for his humanitarian service to the public school. Chairperson of the Association of Primary School Head Teachers, Ikorodu chapter, Mrs. Olugbemi Mojisola Adunni, gave a vote of thanks and made presentation to Oba Kabiru Shotobi. She gave a solemn prayer and blessed everyone who contributed to the development of public schools.
Oba Shotobi cut the ribbon and unveiled the plaque. The monarch blessed the pupils who would occupy the newly renovated classrooms and use the facility. The delectable Oba of Ikorodu Kingdom sang to the little children while they were seated on the new set of plastic chairs. On the request of Oba Shotobi, one of the schoolteachers engaged the pupils in a brief class session while the guests watched. Reporters took pictures, record footages and interviewed the donor and other dignitaries.