A non-governmental organization (NGO), Ibraheem Iyiola Foundation, has commissioned two blocks of sixteen classrooms it renovated at St. David Anglican Pry School, Kudeti, in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

The foundation, also dstributed school bags to a number of pupils in the school.

Speaking during the handing over of the renovated buildings to the Oyo state government on Thursday, the Convener of the foundation, Alhaji Ibraheem Iyiola, said the promise made in October, 2020 to renovate the structure comprising 16 classrooms and headmistress office has been fully completed and being officially delivered to the school authority for the benefits of the students and the teachers.

According to Iyiola, “learning becomes easier when we have good environment for the students and the teachers; and through education, we can eradicate poverty, reduce crime rates and build better tomorrow for our youths. I thank Almighty God for making this possible”.

He, therefore called on well-meaning Nigerians and other NGOs  to partner with the foundation to execute some of its other programmes to improve the society and
communities.

Speaking on the choice of the school, he said: “May I say that those who are familiar with my background know that I was raised and nurtured at St. David’s Primary School where the foundation for a better tomorrow was laid for me. The home of great men and women in the society.

“Home of Former Governor Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, Former Governor Alh. Lam Adesina, Chief Lekan Are (who also blessed us with ICT building) and so on. I
witnessed the struggle for quality education by parents for their children, I knew the
pains and agony, our teachers, and parents went through. I knew the sacrifices they
made to ensure that we enjoyed basic education”.

Iyiola explained that since the inauguration of the Foundation, it has recorded tremendous strides and has vigorously with bull-dog tenacity of purpose pursued the objectives of human empowerment, Small and medium scale business; financial assistance on education and provided healthcare support to residents of his community.

“Today is a great day for all of us in Ibadan South East and North East Federal Constituency. In 2017 when Ibraheem Iyiola Foundation was inaugurated, we launched a Five point agenda which would be the main focal points and objectives of our determined effort to be a part of the struggle to make a visible impact in our community, our city and
state.

“Since the inauguration, we have made tremendous strides. We have vigorously and
with bull-dog tenacity of purpose pursued the objectives of human empowerment,
Small and medium scale business; financial assistance on education and provided
healthcare support to residents of our community.

“In the area of human empowerment, we have helped/assisted not less than Fifteen (15)
persons in acquiring skills in different vocational businesses and supported not less
than 50 widows in our community to sustain their livelihood. In the area of education,
we have given out scholarships and education support assistance to indigent students
of our community. For the small and medium scale business grant, we have supported
over 500 small and medium scale businesses in our community. In the area of Health
care, which is very sensitive and considering what we are experiencing in the whole
world, we have been able to support our community with the renovation of Omiyale
primary health care center and continuously providing sufficient medical supplies for� the benefit of our people. Most importantly, for the Covid19 pandemic, we have also
provided Covid-19 relief materials to the residents of our community and we pray that
God almighty will take control worldwide”, he enumerated.

The donor, who is also an alumnus of the school, counseled the pupils to prepare for the future as they have a lot of opportunities ahead of them if they don’t give up on their dreams, urging them to reciprocate his actions by giving back to their Alma Mater.

“Be prepared to change the world and get prepared to grab the opportunity around you. And most importantly, don’t forget to give back to the school that has given you so much. Please join me to congratulate the students, the headmistress and the entire school authority on this occasion and for given the Ibraheem Iyiola Foundation the opportunity to deliver this project, the school I’m very proud of St. Davids Primay School Kudeti, Ibadan”, Iyiola concluded.

Also commenting, the Chairman Oyo SUBEB, Dr. Nureni Adeniran, who noted that the gesture will continue to linger ” on our memories and in the history of the school, on behalf of Governor Seyi Makinde thanked the foundation for its magnanimous contributions. He assured that the government will not relent in providing necessary infrastructure , instructional materials, training and re-training of teaching and non-teaching staff, as well as prompt payment of salaries and allowances to ensure effective and efficient teaching learning activities.

The SUBEB boss, who was represented by one of his Directors, Bolaji Hassan lamented  the magnitude of problems faced on dilapidated structure, which he described as overwhelming while resources are limited and over stretched.

“Consequently, I am seizing this opportunity to call on individuals, business entrepreneurs and friends of Basic education to come forward and emulate the kind gesture of Ibrahim Iyiola Foundation by supporting government to make our schools more conducive and child friendly to encourage every child to avail him/herself of the opportunity of being educated”, he submitted

In her remarks, the acting Head Mistress, Mrs F.A Ayodeji expressed appreciation to the donor.

“Thank God for the intervention of one of our old students, Hon Iyiola Ibraheem Olayode who came to our rescue and this has contributed a lot to learning in the school. It has also encouraged better attendance in the school”, she said.